Stonegate pub chain investigated over alleged unfair treatment of landlords

Stonegate Group, the UK's largest pub and bar operator, is under investigation for allegedly treating its landlords unfairly. The pubs code adjudicator has found reasonable grounds to believe the company has breached industry regulations governing its relationships with tenants.

The investigation centers on how Stonegate manages over 3,000 venues operated by landlords who lease their pubs from the company. These landlords are protected by the "pubs code," legislation designed to ensure fair dealings between pub-owning companies and their tenants.

If Stonegate is found to have violated the code, it could face significant financial penalties. The potential fine is capped at 1% of the company's revenue, which, based on its scale, could amount to more than £16 million. This probe highlights ongoing scrutiny of large pub chains' practices and their impact on individual business owners.