A day in trade ... by Greene King Pub Partners
Last year, Fiona Dickie, the Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA), was invited to spend time with Greene King Pub Partners.
Last year, Fiona Dickie, the Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA), was invited to spend time with Greene King Pub Partners to see first-hand, property work being undertaken to support Greene King’s tenants.
Fiona visited pubs in and around Suffolk and was accompanied by Alex Ashton, Greene King Pub Partners’ Head of Property Services, and recorded some of the highlights of the day.
At the Royal Exchange in Haverhill, plans to complete an external refurbishment of the pub were shown and discussed. The proposed new colour scheme along with new signage is aimed at supporting the tenant of the pub by drawing attention to it and attracting new customers. Repairs that are both Greene King’s and the tenant’s responsibility on the exterior will be completed as part of this. These works offer opportunities for the tenant to complete their own internal decoration and at the same time to improve the customer offer and take care of any repair matters that could build up over time.
The approach to dilapidations was also discussed with Fiona and the team, with Greene King confirming that they have incorporated the British Beer & Pub Association’s dilapidations guidance. They are using a ‘Scott Schedule’ for recording dilapidations to facilitate discussions and reach agreement on works that are to be completed on exit or as part of a renewal. Further information about repairs can be found on the PCA’s website within the What Tied Pub Tenants Need to Know about Repairs and Dilapidations factsheet.
At the Red Lion, Sturmer, a 14th century listed thatched property, the visit included discussions on how Greene King Pub Partners is supporting its tenants by improving Environmental Performance Certificate ratings. To mitigate against rising costs of fuel and minimise release of CO2, Greene King is carrying out improvement works to get all Pub Partner pubs in England and Wales to a C rating by 2027 which signifies a moderate level of energy efficiency. Several options are being considered at the Red Lon including insulation improvements and boiler improvements. The tenant and Greene King’s surveyor also completed a property review to identify Greene King and tenant repairs with the intention of both parties dealing with these in a timely manner.
During the day, we also heard about the onboarding process for new tenants and the support available for tenants from the Business Development Manager. The importance of understanding the condition of the property when taking on a new agreement, as well as any ongoing repairing obligations, both on the tenant and pub company, were also highlighted. Where issues arise, the need for swift action on behalf of all parties if required was clear.
The PCA’s website provides information for tied pub tenants who are considering entering into a New Tied Agreement.
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