Stonegate Pub Partners, the UK's largest pub company, is currently under investigation by the industry regulator, the Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA). This follows allegations of mistreatment from tenants who operate more than 3,000 of its venues.
Earlier this year, a PCA survey of pub tenants revealed that Stonegate had the lowest satisfaction rating among large companies, scoring 39%. In comparison, Punch Pubs received 55%, while Admiral Taverns and Greene King scored 72% and 71% respectively.
One former tenant, Melissa Phillips, claims Stonegate prolonged her father's exit from a tenancy agreement despite knowing of his Alzheimer's condition from 2022. She stated this led to added stress and financial burdens, including a reported £89,500 in "dilapidations" and other debts.
Another former tenant, who ran two pubs in Chester Le Street and Gateshead, reported being "relentlessly pursued" by Stonegate after closing his businesses due to his wife's cancer diagnosis. Stonegate stated it believes its interests are directly aligned with tenants and that it is investing record amounts in properties.
Rachael Maskell, Labour and Co-operative MP for York Central, has called for a total reform of the tied tenancy system, describing it as a "feudal relationship" that can lead to financial loss for tenants. Stonegate has stated it is cooperating fully with the PCA investigation and will implement any identified operational improvements.