Roundtable between the Pubs Code Adjudicator and Code Compliance Officers – December 2025

This roundtable was organised by the PCA and was part of a programme of roundtables to gather and exchange good practice ideas and examples to support mutual learning across pub companies. 

Objectives of the roundtable 

This roundtable was organised by the PCA to discuss the work of pub-owning businesses in relation to completion of the annual compliance report and furthering the discussion on information on fixtures and fittings and exit arrangements for tenants. This was part of a programme of roundtables to gather and exchange good practice ideas and examples to support mutual learning across pub companies. 

Attendees 

Scott Saunders (Admiral), Julie Jolly (Greene King), Claire Coley (Marston’s), Tom Harvey (Punch Pubs), Lynne Winter (Star Pubs), Donna Gracey (Stonegate), Fiona Dickie (the Pubs Code Adjudicator) and staff from the PCA office. 

Key points 

Each regulated pub-owning business (POBs) must produce an annual Pubs Code compliance report which is submitted to the PCA. These are published by each POB on their own website. The compliance report provides a wide range of information, including estates data, written details on how the POBs ensure Code compliance and details of any breaches that have occurred.  

The discussion focused on reviewing the template and questions within the annual compliance report and exploring potential opportunities to reduce the regulatory burden on POBs, while ensuring the PCA continues to receive appropriate and meaningful information for regulatory purposes. There was agreement between attendees that the annual compliance reporting should be proportionate, data-driven, and efficient. 

The group then focused on furthering the discussion on fixtures and fittings and exit arrangements from the previous roundtable to understand what tenants could expect when they leave their pub and what information is currently provided. A key discussion point was on the need for clearer, accessible information for tenants covering exit expectations, responsibilities, and dispute resolution. 

Next steps 

Looking forward, the PCA will review the annual compliance reporting process with the overall aim of reducing regulatory burden for 2025/26 onwards. Code Compliance Officers will also continue to work together to agree common minimum standards for tenants in respect of information in respect of fixtures and fittings.