RENT NEGOTIATIONBANBURY · OXFORDSHIRE
The Old Auctioneer
Using MRO rights and trading evidence to challenge a proposed rent increase.
Read the storySPECIALIST PUB CONSULTANCY · EST. 2016
Better terms.
Stronger pubs.
Specialist advice on pub rents, leases and the Pubs Code. Clear thinking. Personal service. A stronger position for your business.
Talk to MichaelAn initial conversation. No obligation.
Find the right support
Good pubs deserve
a strong future.
EXPERIENCE IN YOUR CORNER
Deep sector knowledge.
Not general advice.
200+MRO proposals
70+Rent determinations
Experience includes these matters.
Every pub, and every outcome,
is different.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
More than a property.
Your business.
Behind every rent and lease is a pub with its own character, its own challenges and its own potential. Good advice starts with understanding all three.
01 — OUR EXPERTISE
The right advice.
At the right moment.
Whether it’s one pub or a portfolio, good decisions begin with a clear understanding of your position.
Your pub. Your livelihood.
Your next move.
A rent increase, a lease renewal or a possible move free of tie can shape your business for years. Get practical, independent advice before you decide.
Talk about your pubAppointments are subject to a conflict check. We do not act for opposing parties in the same matter.
01Pubs Code & MROUnderstand your options in England & Wales.
02Rent reviewsA properly evidenced position. A considered negotiation.
03Lease renewalsLook beyond the rent. Get the wider terms right.
04Scottish Pubs CodeAdvice shaped around Scotland’s distinct framework.
05Pub Business AdvisoryTrading potential, operating strategy and the right commercial arrangements.
02 — SELECTED WORK
Real pubs.
Important decisions.
No two pubs are the same. Neither are the negotiations behind them.
A closer look at the thinking behind the work.RENT NEGOTIATION
MRO STRATEGYCAMDEN · LONDON
The Sheephaven Bay
Exploring the free-of-tie alternative to strengthen a tied rent negotiation.
Read the story
RENTAL VALUATIONWHITECHAPEL · LONDON
The Blind Beggar
Looking beyond the headline valuation to challenge the assumptions beneath it.
Read the storySelected matters from our published case studies. Previous outcomes are not a guarantee of future results.
Celebrating 10 years 2016–2026
03 — THE PERSON BEHIND THE ADVICE
A specialist.
Not a switchboard.
Work directly with Michael Erridge, founder of MDE Pub Consultants.
Established in 2016, MDE is built around a simple idea: pub businesses deserve focused, practical advice from someone who understands their world.
From an independent tenant’s next rent review to the wider needs of a pub portfolio, Michael brings a considered commercial perspective to the decisions that matter.
You’ll have a direct conversation, a clear approach and advice grounded in the specifics of your business.
Michael ErridgeFOUNDER & PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT
Start a conversation with Michael 04 — HOW WE WORK
Clarity, from
the first conversation.
A considered process, without the unnecessary complexity.
- 01 /
Understand
your position.We begin with your pub, your agreement and what you want to achieve. The first step is identifying the issues, options and important dates.
- 02 /
Set the
right strategy.We assess the evidence and commercial trade-offs, then agree a clear scope of work, fees and the most appropriate way forward.
- 03 /
Negotiate
with purpose.We develop your position, engage with the other side and help you evaluate the choices, keeping you informed as the matter progresses.
IN OUR CLIENT’S WORDS
Securing an MRO free-of-tie deal felt daunting, but Michael and MDE Pub Consultants made it seamless.
Barry HayesCircus Tavern, Manchester
INSIGHTS & PRACTICAL GUIDANCE
More clarity.
Better decisions.
PUB RENT REVIEWS
Pub rent review: what to prepare before negotiations
Preparing for a pub rent review? Gather your lease, trading figures and improvement records, understand the proposal, and plan your next steps.
25 October 2026Read the guide
PUB BUSINESS ADVISORY
Buying a pub: run it yourself, employ a manager or lease it out?
Buying or already owning a pub? Compare owner-operation, an employed manager and leasing to an operator, including workload, costs and commercial risks.
Practical guidanceRead the guide
TIED & FREE-OF-TIE
Tied or free-of-tie pub: how to compare the full commercial deal
Compare tied and free-of-tie pub terms using rent, drinks costs, support and cash flow. Understand MRO eligibility and the separate Scottish Pubs Code.
Practical guidanceRead the guide
For a wider view of pubs and hospitality, MDE Insights brings together industry news and perspective in Michael Erridge’s separate daily briefing. Find out more about MDE Insights
A FEW USEFUL ANSWERS
Before
we talk.
Not sure where to start?
That’s what the first conversation is for.
Is an initial consultation really free?
Yes. The initial conversation is free and without obligation. It helps us understand your situation and whether MDE can assist. Any subsequent work, its scope and fees will be agreed with you before it begins.
Do I need to know which service I need?
No. Tell us about your pub or business, what has changed and any dates you have been given. We can help identify the right starting point. You do not need to prepare a full brief before getting in touch.
Can you help with a tied pub?
Yes. MDE advises on tied rent negotiations and, where applicable, Market Rent Only options. Whether a particular route is available or commercially appropriate depends on your agreement and circumstances. A move free of tie is not automatically the right choice for every pub.
Do you advise pub owners as well as tenants?
Yes. MDE works with tenants, pub-owning businesses, investors and their advisers. Each engagement is assessed separately and is subject to a conflict check. We do not represent opposing parties in the same matter.
What if I have a deadline coming up?
Call 0330 088 3133 and explain the date and the document or notice you have received. Do not assume that making an enquiry pauses or extends a deadline. Avoid sending sensitive documents until the next steps have been agreed.
Can you advise on a pub in Scotland?
Yes. Scottish pub matters require consideration of Scotland’s distinct legal and regulatory framework. Get in touch with the location, agreement type and issue so we can discuss the relevant scope of advice.
MDE INSIGHTS · FREE DAILY BRIEFING
A wider view.
A useful daily read.
A free daily briefing on the news, changes and ideas shaping pubs and hospitality, with clear context from Michael Erridge.
Michael leads MDE Pub Consultants and edits MDE Insights. The consultancy helps with your individual business decisions; Insights brings the wider picture to your inbox. It is one separate publication, not an MDEPC mailing list.
More about MDE InsightsLET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR NEXT MOVE
Your pub.
Your future.
Let’s talk.
A free initial conversation to understand where you stand — and where you want to go.
Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm
Suite 37, 17 Holywell Hill
St Albans, AL1 1DT
Tell us a little about your situation.
Send Michael a brief outline and he will be in touch to discuss the next step.
Thank you for getting in touch.
Your enquiry has been submitted. Michael will be in touch shortly.