Is Stonegate Playing Fair? The PCA’s Investigation & How to Fight Back
The Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) has launched a major investigation into Stonegate (including Stonegate Pub Partners and Craft Union) for suspected breaches of the Pubs Code between July 2021 and July 2026.
If you are a current or former tenant, this is your chance to hold them accountable.
🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨 UPDATE
Following representations by the Pubs Advisory Service, the Pubs Code Adjudicator has confirmed that evidence relating to Regulation 47 gaming machine arrangements can be submitted as part of the newly launched investigation into Stonegate.
In our correspondence to the PCA, we highlighted that there is no specific “gaming machine waiver” within the Pubs Code and questioned why this issue had not been included within the original investigation scope. The PCA has now invited the submission of evidence on this matter for consideration.
For over a decade, tied pub tenants have raised concerns regarding gaming machine provisions in tied agreements. We have consistently argued that this issue deserves proper regulatory scrutiny alongside other Code compliance matters.
If you are a current or former Stonegate tied tenant and have evidence concerning gaming machine arrangements, the PCA has asked that evidence be submitted directly to the investigation team.
This is an important development and demonstrates why publicans must continue speaking up when they believe the Pubs Code is not being fully complied with.
What is the PCA investigating?
The regulator is looking into whether Stonegate failed its tenants by:
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Hiding property issues or providing inaccurate Schedules of Condition.
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Using unrealistic financial forecasts to push tenants into unsustainable business plans.
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Ignoring tenant requests for key data during rent negotiations.
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Failing to ensure Business Development Managers (BDMs) behaved fairly or kept proper meeting notes.
- Offering New agreements with Gaming Machine Ties and requesting money or a higher rent to remove any “gaming ties”
How to take action
The PCA needs hard evidence from tenants to build their case, but the deadline to submit is tight: 5:00 PM on 12 August 2026.
Because running a pub leaves you with very little free time, we have done the heavy lifting for you. We’ve put together a quick, step-by-step guide to help you gather your emails, contracts, and notes, and submit them to the PCA without the headache.
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