Outcome of the third statutory review of the Pubs Code and Pubs Code Adjudicator

The government has published their report setting out the findings of the third statutory review of the Pubs Code (‘the Code’) and Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) as well as the first post-implementation review. This review considered the Code’s operation and the PCA’s performance over the three-year period from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2025. 

The post-implementation review specifically considered the Code’s impact since its introduction in 2016, including:  

• the extent to which the regulation is working;  
• if the policy has achieved its objectives;  
• whether the current regulation remains the most appropriate approach; and 
• if intervention and regulation is still required. 

As part of the reviews, tied (and previously tied) pub tenants, regulated pub-owning businesses, unregulated pub-owning businesses, trade bodies and other interested parties were encouraged to provide views and evidence as part of the consultation in summer 2025. The PCA published its submission to the review here.  

The Code has now been in force for 10 years and the PCA remains committed to upholding the core Code principles and protecting the rights of tied tenants. The PCA welcomes the publication of the report and notes the areas for further consideration identified by the Secretary of State, including further work on the Market Rent Only option.