Several of the pub-owning companies highlighted that the Bill could have the unintended consequence of limiting the low-cost entry into the pub market for entrepreneurs or businesses, which would be of detriment.iPunch Pubs, written evidence The SBPA suggested that on average, it is ten times cheaper to start a tied-pub than buy one in the Independent Free Trade (£30k v £300k).iiSBPA, written evidence
One respondent to the Committee's survey noted that the tied model had worked well for them:
This model allows me to run my own pub pretty much my way with minimal initial financial outlay while having the financial and experienced back up on the pub company.iiiSummary of survey responses
However, Neil Bibby MSP said that evidence raised to the House of Common's Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee by pub-owning companies suggested that in England and Wales, "awareness of the statutory code is up, tenure has increased, the number of young applicants taking on a tenancy has increased and pubcos now provide better support for licensees and better recruitment processes."