AS most of the licensed trade will be aware, Neil Bibby MSP is proposing to introduce a Tied Pubs (Code and Adjudicator) (Scotland) Bill that would offer tenant licensees the same protection as operators in England Wales.
The SLTA wants the Scottish Government to sit up and take notice of this in order to protect our pubs and with the consultation exercise closing on July 31, licensees only have a few days left to support this campaign.
Mr Bibby’s campaign to establish a statutory pubs code and pubs code adjudicator for Scotland to help bring fairness to the industry is gaining momentum by the day. His Private Members’ Bill has gained the support of the SLTA, GMB Scotland, CAMRA and a number of other industry bodies.
The SLTA supports this proposed bill as it is not acceptable under any terms that tenants in England and Wales have statutory rights and protection while Scottish tenants do not. We are therefore urging all Scottish licensees to support their tenant colleagues and respond to the consultation.
A Scottish pubs code and adjudicator, with a market rent only option, is the only way to ensure a fair deal for Scottish tied pub tenants.
Why should tenants be denied the same rights and safeguards as their counterparts south of the Border? That is why the SLTA and many others from within the brewing industry have been campaigning for similar Scottish legislation on this issue for years.
There are a number of ways you can respond. Suggested responses have been prepared by the SLTA which acts in the interest of the licensed trade all over Scotland. Please contact us and we will guide you through the consultation questions and provide suggested responses.
You can also fill out the survey here – www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/TiedPubsBill