LONDON, Nov 18 (Reuters) - British lawmakers on Tuesdayvoted to give publicans more power in tie-ups with big pub grouplandlords by adding a so called 'market rent only' option intonew government reforms.
Almost half of the UK's 50,000 pubs are run by tenants under"beer-tie" agreements, in which they buy beer from the firm thatholds their lease at above market prices in return forsubsidised rent or other benefits. However, some publicans haveclaimed unfair treatment and very low earnings from such deals.
In response, reforms were unveiled in June to give publicanspowers to challenge rent prices and to install a new independentadjudicator for them to turn to in disputes.
Despite opposition from the government, lawmakers on Tuesdaysurprisingly voted 284 to 269 in favour of adding an option forpublicans to take up a rent only option in the proposed laws,which still have to pass through several stages of legislationbefore they are enacted. (Reporting by Neil Maidment and William James; Editing by KateHolton)