The Pub Governing Body (PGB), which is responsible for codes of practice for companies operating under 500 pubs, and oversees PIRRS (Pub Industry Rent Review Scheme) and PICA-Service (Pub Industry Conciliation and Arbitration Service) has today announced that the PIRRS low-cost tied rent resolution service has been made available as an option to companies and tenants now covered by the statutory code in England and Wales.
From 21st July 2016, companies operating 500 or more tied pubs were no longer covered by the self-regulatory system, including PIRRS and PICA-Service, and instead became subject to the Pubs Code regulations 2016 and associated legislation.
Following approaches to the PGB by both companies and tenants of the larger companies about the option of using low-cost PIRRS to resolve tied rent disputes (for example in situations where the tenant wishes to remain tied), the Board has agreed to amend the PIRRS procedure paper to give interested parties the option of using PIRRS for this purpose.
Those companies and tenants wishing to use the service can use PIRRS to resolve tied rent issues on a mutually agreed, case-by-case basis and payment of an administration fee.
Pub Governing Body chairman Sir Peter Luff said:
“The introduction of the statutory legislation last year led to a situation whereby those companies affected and their tenants could no longer use the low-cost equitable method of resolving tied rent disputes provided by PIRRS.
Following discussions with companies and tenants, we are pleased to announce the PIRRS procedure has been amended to allow the use of PIRRS to resolve tied rents on a case-by-case basis, if both parties mutually agree to use the system.
This is a positive step which will benefit both companies and tenants.”