True definition of a "Free House"

[LordBasil]

The dictionary definition of "Free House" is one that is not tied with respect to beer purchasing to a brewery. However, the major brewers in the UK no longer own large tenanted estates. Certain large pub companies display signs stating that thier tenanted pubs are "Free House"s although they tie their tenants completely with respect to beer, so, therefore the pubs are not "Free House"s as they are not free of tie. What's going on?

[archbishop]

Some pubcos are allowed to display "Free House" even though the beer has to be bought through them because it is up to the tenant/leaseholder who decides which beer too sell.For instance Enterprise Inns has contracts with virtually every brewery and it is down to the tenant which of those he wants to sell.It is only the price paid to which he is tied.

[LordBasil]

Thanks archbishop but my question really relates to the fact that as in your example those tenants still have to buy through the pubco and are not "Free" to buy outside of the tie to that pubco so how can they then be a "Free House"?

[archbishop]

They are Free to buy virtually any beer but it must be through the pubco.A lot of pubcos now do free of tie leases but obviously they pay more in rent.

[LordBasil]

Thanks again. Sorry to be a pain but surely the fact that they MUST buy through the pubco means that they are 'tied' to that pubco and therefore they are not a 'Free House'? Also, Enterprise, amongst others, will not deal with smaller brewers which does limit thier tenants' range. I do agree that in a situation where those tenants take a free of tie lease they would qualify as a Free House. My reason for asking the initial question is that it annoys me that I can go into a pub displaying a sign saying Free House outside but I go in to find the same range of 'national' beers because the licencee is not allowed to buy from the local brewery and it seems to me that it might be contrary to trading standards legislation to state that that pub was a Free House. ie. What is the true definition - or do I mean legal definition?