The Heineken pub business has been fined £2 million for repeated violations of legally binding pub codes for nearly three years.
Starpub and bar, which operates Heineken’s pub estate business in the UK, forced pub tenants to sell 100% Heineken beer and cider.
Fiona Dickie of Pubs Code Addictor said: “My report on the investigation is a game changer, indicating that regulators can act robustly to protect the rights that Congress has given to bound tenants.
“I will have discussions with all the companies that regulate me according to my findings about how I guarantee that it will be compliant with the code. My message is that if someone had previously questioned my resolve to act when they find a violation, they are now unquestionable.”
PUBS Code Ajun Carter found a total of 12 repeated violations.
“I couldn’t listen to statutory advice, PCA regulatory involvement, and learning from the arbitration award. When I was involved in PCA, I didn’t make the standards necessary for a regulated business open and transparent, or I didn’t get involved in PCA,” Dickie said.
“If it changed its approach, the efforts it made to follow were inadequate and unreliable for the most part.”
“Companies need to change their mindset and be proactive in approaching compliance.”
The PUBS code judges gave the PUB group six weeks and provided detailed responses on how to implement the proposed recommendations.
