Dear Fiona,

Stonegate Pubs’ introduction of charges for branded glasses & closing the free supply route from brewers for tied tenants – need for an investigation

We are writing to you about Stonegate Pubs recent decision to impose charges on their leased and tenanted pubs/publicans to introduce a charge for branded tied beer supply glasses that hitherto have been provided for free either via Stonegate or direct from the brewers themselves.

This action means that tied tenants will incur additional charges for dispensing tied beer supply in the correct glassware, something that is important and something that brewers/producers want to happen. Serving drinks, including beer and cider in glasses branded with another beer/cider could be deemed a breach of the Trade Descriptions legislation (if not explained to the customer). In any case, it can be confusing and is something that brewers/producers do not like…