Heineken’s pubs and bars business is to be investigated over the alleged imposition of unfair trading terms on some of its publicans.
The pubs code adjudicator, which enforces industry rules, said that it would examine how Star Pubs & Bars had treated tenants who wanted to go “free of tie”.
Legislation allows publicans to break the tie, an obligation to buy beer and other products and services from their landlords at prices typically much higher than market rates, ostensibly in return for reduced rents.
