Report calls time on pub tie decision (Cheltenham Liberal Democrats)

Cheltenham Liberal Democrats <info@cheltlibdems.org.uk>

Report calls time on pub tie decision

September 23, 2011 5:16 PM

CHELTENHAM MP Martin Horwood has welcomed this week's final report from the Business Innovation and Skills select committee on pub companies ('pubcos'), following hearings in July this year.

The report recommends the introduction of a statutory code, with a genuine free of tie option, based on an open market rent review to help balance out the tenant/pubco relationship. The recommendations are in line with Martin's 'Tied Public Houses (Code of Practice) Private Member's Bill, which is due for its second reading on 25 November.

An extract from the report states "The position of the previous Government - endorsed by the current Government - was that if we so recommended, it would consult on how to put the Code on a statutory footing. It is now time for the Government to act on that undertaking. In its response to our report, the Government has to set out the timetable for that consultation and begin the process as a matter of urgency."

The government is expected to respond to the report over the next three months.

Martin said: "Having promised to stick to the recommendations of the previous select committee report, it is important the government acts on the select committee recommendations to legislate to introduce a statutory code with a genuine free of tie option. Pubs are closing at an alarming rate and this will make an important contribution to saving them."