A NEW Pubs Code has come into force following a Wharfedale MP's national campaign.

The statutory code – including a Market Rent Only option – is designed to tackle the exploitation of pub tenants by large companies.

MP Greg Mulholland, who chairs the Parliamentary Save the Pub Group, spearheaded the fight to secure the new rules through the Fair Deal for Your Local campaign, which was backed by ten national organisations.

The changes should ensure a brighter future for 'tied' tenants, many of whom have been complaining about pub companies charging excessive rents and beer prices for years.

Ian and Sue Stephens, who run the Rose and Crown in Bondgate, Otley, are among those who stand to benefit.

Mr Stephens said: "I hope this will make a considerable difference and things should certainly be better for licensees.

"They need help because people work very hard to keep pubs going, but an awful lot are closing – until recently, we've been losing about 30 a week.

"Up to now we've had no say in what rents the pub companies will charge or what they charge us for the beer.

"Now, if you're a tenant, when your rent review comes up for the renewal of the lease, we can say we want to go free of tie if we choose – the trigger that will let us start buying beer from whoever we want.

"That will pressure the pub companies to be more friendly towards their licensees, who will be able to negotiate when their rent reviews come up."

Mr Mulholland's success in pushing for the changes in Parliament led to a beer – Mulholland's Law – being created in his honour by Otley-based Briscoe's Brewery.

He said: “I am delighted the Pubs Code is at last the law, nearly two months late, but it is now in place and operational.

"This is an historic day in the pub sector and one that many publicans and campaigners have fought long and hard for.

"I want to pay tribute to every tenant, pub-goer and Fair Deal for Your Local campaigner, who has made this happen.

"It is a victory not only for pubs and publicans, but also for justice and people power.

"Pubs are at the heart of our communities and for too long many have had to put up with unfair and unscrupulous practices of the large pub companies.

"From now on, tied tenants of the big six pubcos will have the right to an independent rent assessment and the all-important Market Only Option at rent review or renewal.

"This is an historic change that, over time, will tackle the chronic abuse of the beer tie that has been at the heart of the tied pubco model and done so much damage to so many pubs."