The Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) has launched a formal investigation into Stonegate Group, one of the six regulated pub-owning businesses, over suspicions that it has failed to comply with the statutory Pubs Code.
Pubs Code adjudicator Fiona Dickie
Stonegate is the largest pub company in the UK and operates an estate of more than 3,000 tenanted and leased pubs across England and Wales.
The PCA suspects that Stonegate may have failed to comply with its legal obligations under the Pubs Code, specifically in relation to its duties to provide accurate and transparent information to both its existing and prospective tied pub tenants. The investigation follows a period of close regulatory engagement and will allow for a proportionate and targeted examination of Stonegate’s conduct during a five year period, from 15th July, 2021, to 14th July, 2026.
“The results of our 2026 Tied Tenant Survey identified concerns and issues relating to the satisfaction of tenants of Stonegate in their tied relationship, which has been the lowest of the regulated pub-owning businesses for at least the last three years,” said Pubs Code adjudicator Fiona Dickie. “Particular tenant concerns relate to repairs to the pub premises.”
As part of the investigation, the PCA is collecting evidence, and would particularly like to hear from current and former Stonegate tenants if they have been affected by the issues in the investigation.
Dickie added: “It is important that previous and existing tenants, and other interested parties, provide us with information to support this investigation. This will help determine whether the Pubs Code has been broken and, if so, the impact on tenants and what further action should be taken.”
Any tenants or other interested parties who provide information for the purposes of the investigation will not be identified in the investigation report without their consent. The deadline for submission of evidence is 5pm on 12th August. Tenants can submit evidence by email to Investigations1@pubscodeadjudicator.gov.uk. More information can be found on the Pubs Code website.
The PCA has not yet reached any decision as to whether Stonegate failed to comply with the Pubs Code, and if so, the extent of any potential non-compliance.
