BREWERS across the Bradford district have welcomed new legislation designed to give publicans more freedom on how they source their beer.

MPs voted on Tuesday in support of an amendment to the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill, giving pub tenants tied to big companies, those with 500 or more outlets, the ability to demand market rent-only agreements.

The new legislation is set to allow pubs who had previously been exclusively tied to buying alcohol products from the parent company, in return for a reduced rent on the premises, to buy beer on the open market at prices supporters claim could be up to 70 per cent lower.

Some of Britain's biggest landlords, such as Enterprise Inns and Punch Taverns, have warned that reforming the historic 'beer tie' between tenants and companies could result in a fresh wave of up to 1,400 pub closures and 7,000 job losses, but local brewers said the move would ultimately offer greater choice for licensees.

Richard Shelton, a director at Ilkley Brewery, said: "Overall, it's a positive step.

"I never thought the regime where people are paying over the market value was sustainable.

"Hopefully it will open up the market to allow pubs to buy the right beer for them at the right prices.

"It should come down to choosing quality beer for pub owners and customers, not just from a small list with over-inflated prices."

Dan Gent, head brewer at the Salamander Brewery in Tong, Bradford, said: "I think it helps to level the playing field if pubs are able to buy direct from breweries.

"You have more funds for investment if the beer can be bought at a better price, and it should give pubs a bit of a boost."

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) had supported the campaign, saying the change would help more pubs stay open and ensure the cost of a pint remained affordable.

David Boothroyd, president of CAMRA in Bradford, said: "The previous system was an injustice, with lots of traditional pubs boarded up that may well be viable to run."

The market-rent only plans would only be triggered at key points in the cycle of a lease or tenancy, such as rent reviews, lease renewals, or on the sale of the title of a property, or if there was a major change in prices or circumstances, such as a cheaper pub opening next door.

Greg Mulholland, the Liberal Democrat MP for Leeds North West, had spearheaded the campaign, claiming it would bring back market forces into a sector that had become "grotesquely anti-competitive".

He was backed by fellow Liberal Democrat David Ward (Bradford East) and Conservative Philip Davies (Shipley), who joined Labour MP Gerry Sutcliffe (Bradford South) in voting to break the tie.

Mr Davies said: "This measure will give small landlords the chance to compete with other pubs on a much more level playing field, and will ensure there is an alternative for a landlord to being trapped in a tie which is strangling their business."

The amendment had been fought by Kris Hopkins, the Keighley MP and pubs minister, who warned it would put the £21bn pub industry at risk.

“Pubs are big employers and important parts of local communities, and we will do everything we can to protect the role they play as the social heart of towns and villages," he said.

“We recognise that the House has spoken on the issue of tied pubs, and we need to get the balance right to avoid any regulation which would result in pub closures."