The pub company behind a host of Coventry venues is being investigated in relation to how it deals with both its existing and prospective tied pub tenants
The Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) has launched a formal investigation into Stonegate Group over suspicions it has failed to comply with the statutory Pubs Code.
Stonegate is the largest pub company in the UK and operates an estate of thousands of tenanted and leased pubs, including around 20 here in Coventry.
The PCA says it has reasonable grounds to suspect Stonegate may have failed to comply with its legal obligations under the Pubs Code, specifically in relation to its duties to provide accurate and transparent information to both its existing and prospective tied pub tenants.
It comes after an investigation that follows a period of close regulatory engagement and will allow for a proportionate and targeted examination of Stonegate’s conduct during a five-year period, from 15 July 2021 to 14 July 2026.
Commenting on the launch of the investigation, Fiona Dickie, the Pubs Code Adjudicator, said: “The Pubs Code provides important rights entitling tied pub tenants, and those in negotiations to take on a tied pub, to transparent information including with regard to the premises and the rent. This investigation will help us establish if Stonegate has met their duties under the Pubs Code.
“Upholding the core principles of the Pubs Code, ensuring fair and lawful dealing and that tied tenants are no worse off than free of tie operators, is our priority.
“The results of our 2026 Tied Tenant Survey identified concerns and issues relating to the satisfaction of tenants of Stonegate in their tied relationship, which has been the lowest of the regulated pub-owning businesses for at least the last three years. Particular tenant concerns relate to repairs to the pub premises.”
As part of this investigation, the PCA is collecting evidence, and would particularly like to hear from current and former Stonegate tenants if they have been impacted by the issues in the investigation.
“It is important that previous and existing tenants, and other interested parties, provide us with information to support this investigation,” Ms Dickie added. “This will help us to determine whether the Pubs Code has been broken and, if so, the impact on tenants and what further action should be taken.”
Any tenants or other interested parties who provide information for the purposes of the investigation will not be identified in the investigation report without their consent. The deadline for submission of evidence is 5pm on 12 August 2026.
Tenants can submit evidence by email to Investigations1@pubscodeadjudicator.gov.uk. More information can be found on its website page.
The investigation coincides with the temporary closure of two Coventry pubs owned by Stonegate – the Aardvark and the Town Wall Tavern. Outgoing management from both pubs cited issues with Stonegate among the reasons for leaving.
Graham Paine, from the Coventry branch of Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) shared his thoughts on these closures.
He said: “Reading the remarks of the outgoing tenants of the Town Wall it is a familiar tale with Stonegate being accused of promising a huge amount but consistently failing to deliver – something that CAMRA has heard nationally regularly when licensees have handed back their tenancy to the pub company. Broken promises abound.”
A spokesman for Stonegate said: “We acknowledge the announcement by the Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) regarding the launch of a statutory investigation. Stonegate is fully committed to complying with the code and ensuring all Publicans are treated fairly.
“Stonegate has communicated at length with the PCA over the two specific cases that form the basis of this investigation, and we will cooperate fully throughout. We remain committed to working fairly and transparently with our publicans and to building strong, successful partnerships.”
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