PCA launches 2024 Annual Tied Tenant Survey

01-Feb-2024 - Last updated on 01-Feb-2024 at 09:22 GMT

Speaking up: Publicans can share their views in the PCA's new survey

The pubs code adjudicator (PCA) has announced the launch of its Annual Tied Tenants Survey, calling on tied publicans to share their views on the pub company and the PCA.

The survey was launched on 9 January 2024 and will be live until mid-March.

Tied tenants from the UK’s top six pub companies operating within the code – Admiral Taverns, Greene King, Marston’s, Punch, Star and Stonegate – will be contacted by independent research company Ipsos.

Last year’s survey was the PCA’s biggest to date, capturing insights from more than 1,200 tied pub tenants.

PCA Fiona Dickie said: "The Annual Tied Tenant Survey is an essential platform for tied tenants to express their views on their pub company and the effectiveness of the Pubs Code Adjudicator in safeguarding their interests."

Gaining insight

She continued: “The insight gained helps steer our priorities for the coming twelve months and empowers us to help more hard-working business owners.

“If you are a tied tenant with one of the six pub companies, I urge you to please take this opportunity to make a difference by sharing your experience and perspective.

“By actively participating in the survey, you are contributing to the ongoing efforts to enhance transparency, fairness, and accountability in the industry.”

Tenants taking part in the survey are asked to share their overall satisfaction with their pub company, contentment with their type of tied agreement, the dynamics of their relationships with Business Development Managers (BDMs) and Code Compliance Officers (CCOs), and their sentiments regarding the information provided to them.

Sharing views

Last year's survey revealed a consistent satisfaction level, with 62% of tenants expressing contentment in their existing relationships with their pub companies.

The areas where tenants felt pub companies were performing best included fair and transparent treatment of tenants (with four in five tenants saying their BDM is fair with them in discussions), providing quick response times to concerns and issues raised, and the provision of information.

Areas with room for improvement in this years’ survey include enhanced communication and awareness related to Code Compliance Officers, as only a quarter of tenants could name their CCO.

Regular updates will be provided by the PCA, with the final results expected to be published in early summer 2024.