Scottish Pubs Code and Scottish Pubs Code Adjudicator review: consultation

Consultation Questions

Part A: The Pubs Code

Question 1a. How aware of the Scottish Pubs Code are you?

• Completely aware
• Very aware
• Moderately aware
• Slightly aware
• Not at all aware

Question 1b. Please provide a brief explanation to support your view in response to Question 1a

Question 2a. The Scottish Pubs Code came into force on 31 March 2025. How well or poorly do you think the Scottish Pubs Code has operated since then until 31 March 2026?

• Very well
• Well
• Neither well nor poorly
• Poorly
• Very poorly
• Don’t know

Question 2b. Please provide a brief explanation to support your view in response to Question 2a.

Question 3a. To what extent do you think the Scottish Pubs Code is consistent or inconsistent with the principle of fair and lawful dealing by pub-owning businesses in relation to their tied pub tenants?

• Very consistent
• Consistent
• Neither consistent nor inconsistent
• Inconsistent
• Very inconsistent
• Don’t know

Question 3b. Please provide a brief explanation to support your view in response to Question 3a.

Question 4a. To what extent do you think the Scottish Pubs Code is consistent or inconsistent with the principle that tied pub tenants should not be worse off than they would be if they were subject to neither a product nor a service tie.

• Very consistent
• Consistent
• Neither consistent nor inconsistent
• Inconsistent
• Very inconsistent
• Don’t know

Question 4b. Please provide a brief explanation to support your view in response to Question 4a.

Question 5a. To what extent do you think the Scottish Pubs Code is consistent or inconsistent with the principle that any agreement between a pub-owning business and a tied-pub tenant should fairly share the risks and rewards amongst the parties?

• Very consistent
• Consistent
• Neither consistent nor inconsistent
• Inconsistent
• Very inconsistent
• Don’t know

Question 5b. Please provide a brief explanation to support your view in response to Question 5a.

Question 6a. Do you think anything needs to change to make the Scottish Pubs Code more effectively support the three regulatory principles? (The three regulatory principles are listed at page 5)

• Yes
• No
• Don’t know

Question 6b. Please provide a brief explanation to support your view in response to Question 6a.

Part B: The Scottish Pubs Code Adjudicator

Question 7a. How aware are you of the role of the Scottish Pubs Code Adjudicator?

• Completely aware
• Very aware
• Moderately aware
• Slightly aware
• Not at all aware

Question 7b. Please provide a brief explanation to support your view in response to Question 7a.

Question 8a. How effective or ineffective do you think the Scottish Pubs Code Adjudicator has been between 31 March 2025 to 31 March 2026 in enforcing the Scottish Pubs Code?

• Very effective
• Effective
• Neither effective nor ineffective
• Ineffective
• Very ineffective
• Don’t know

Question 8b. Please provide a brief explanation to support your view in response to Question 8a.

Question 9a. Do you think anything needs to change to enable the Adjudicator to operate more effectively in enforcing the Scottish Pubs Code?

• Yes
• No
• Don’t know

Question 9b. Please provide a brief explanation to support your view in response to Question 9a.