A York landlord has met his MP to discuss a potential change in the law to make life easier for pub landlords.

Paul Crossman, licensee of The Volunteer Arms, The Swan, The Slip Inn and The Woolpack, supports the "Market Rent Only" (MRO) amendment aimed at helping licensees of big pub companies.

He and York Central MP Hugh Bayley, who also backs the move, discussed it shortly before MPs vote on the issue.

The landlord said: “It’s wonderful Hugh Bayley has shown his support for the amendment. If it enters the final legislation the MRO option will be a lifeline for many struggling tied licensees because it will give them a chance to operate in a free and fair market for the first time ever. It will give a fantastic boost to pubs across the country and also to the smaller craft breweries who are currently deprived access to huge part of the pub market because of the current tied system.”

Mr Bayley said: "Fair rents would leave landlords with a better return and encourage them to invest in ways to make their pubs more popular, so they keep open. I am backing the amendment because I want a better deal for landlords and their customers”.