FREEDOM FOR PUBS ASSOCIATION

The (only) association for the protection of the interests of tied pub landlords.

Whilst the FFPA is run by just a handful of volunteers, we can steer you in the right direction

OUR AIMS

To bring the pubcos back before the Regulator, BERR (Business and Enterprise Regulatory Reform) for compliance with the conditions of the 2005 (TISC) report, (see footnote ¹)
The tie should be removed for all pubs with the exception of those tied to brewers who own up to 500. This covers all independent brewers.
That you write to your MP asking him or her to support Tim Farron MP's Parliamentary Early Day Motion (EDM) into pubco behaviour - either directly - see contacts (Westminster) - or via http://www.writetothem.com

THINKING OF TAKING A PUB TENANCY?
A WORD OF WARNING FROM TRADE ACCOUNTANTS, http://www.winterhill.co.uk

DON'T ! until you have spoken to us. The licensed trade has been in continuous turmoil for fifteen years. Tenancy agreements are increasingly high-rent commercial leases with stringent obligations, loaded discounts and very low profit potential. In our experience, the new pubcos are harsh landlords"

"Change your hearts or you will lose your inns and you will deserve to have lost them. But when you have lost your inns, drown your empty selves, for you will have lost the last of England" Hiliare Belloc

¹

The prime elements of those recommendations gathered together by the last T&ISC to promote transparency are encompassed in their Report paragraphs 130, 133, 144,145 and 151, 158 and 203 précised as:

The profit assessment method of calculating rent should be carried out in accordance with national accounting standards and with knowledge, prudence and diligence. [144]
A comprehensive breakdown of how the rent is calculated should encompass and reveal the whole detail of the profit assessment and how the lease conditions have been interpreted. [145]
The detailed profit assessment should form an addendum to leases to ensure transparency for any subsequent review, or assignment. [145]
The tied tenants should not be financially worse off than if they were free of tie. [133]
Removal of Upward Only Rent Reviews. [151]
Removal of AWP tie. [130]
That the BLRA update their code of conduct to reflect the T&ISC recommendations[203]

That Pubcos should recognise that they have a responsibility to ensure they do not exploit their position of strength and ensure that all tenants are treated reasonably and fairly and rents should be reasonable and sustainable [158]

Updated 20th November 2008