Law firm Gordons awarded Plain English Campaign ‘Crystal Mark’ for brewer Timothy Taylor’s tenancy agreements

Keighley brewer Timothy Taylor has given clarity to its pub tenancy agreements by working with Yorkshire law firm Gordons to achieve a ‘Crystal Mark’ for them from the Plain English Campaign.

Launched in 1990, the Crystal Mark is firmly established as the standard that organisations aim for if they want to provide the clearest possible information. Andrew Daykin, tied estate manager at Timothy Taylor, instructed Gordons earlier this year to achieve the standard when it became time to update and rationalise the business’s existing tenancy agreements.

Andrew explained: “Tenancy agreements can be daunting documents so when it came to updating them we thought it was a great opportunity to set about achieving the Crystal Mark standard. Working closely with the team at Gordons, time was taken to redraft and amend existing documents before they were submitted for approval by the Plain English Campaign.

“We’re very pleased with the work Gordons has done as we have already started to use the new agreement. By making the tenancy agreement more accessible, it enhances the already strong relationships we have with our tenants.”

Established in 1858, Timothy Taylor has 29 pubs of which 20 are tenancies located in West and North Yorkshire and Lancashire. Its beers are sold throughout the country and the brewer regularly wins awards for its beers, including the Gold Award for its Landlord pale ale in the Best Bitter Category at this year’s Great British Beer Festival.

Paul Young, commercial property partner at Gordons commented: “By achieving a Crystal Mark on the Timothy Taylor tenancy agreement, we’re helping the business build upon its reputation for being clear and open with its tenants and its customers. It’s satisfying to know that what we have done has been approved by a recognised independent standard that promotes clarity of communication.”