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Advice on running a pub?
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29-05-2014 12:46am#1
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Im taking over a pub next week, freehold
ive got 3 employees
a manager and 2 barmaidsthe last landlord running it was awful, utterly clueless, he was there 10 months and booted out
Some questions raise themselves in my mind. Are you taking on these employees with the pub? Are you going to be a hands on landlord or leave things to the manager? Does the pub's size/turnover warrant an employed manager? If the previous landlord relied on the manager to run things, are you sure that the problem was the landlord and not the manager? Maybe both? Who is the licensee (and ultimately responsible)? Will you be living on the premises?
Other thoughts that occur, in no particular order:
I'd recommend getting some training (for example from the British Institute of Innkeeping) so that at least you are up to speed with licensing laws etc (in fact training & qualifications are compulsory if you want to hold a licence).
Go through the books with a fine tooth comb to satisfy yourself that all your music/Sky/machine licences are in place and paid for. Fines in the industry can be astronomical!
Don't fall into the trap of thinking that a pint of beer bought in at £1.15 and sold for £2.20 = £1.05 profit
(Am sure you haven't as you're a businessperson, but many do!) Other costs that you have to factor in (and I shall no doubt miss many out as it was a while ago since I was in the trade) include wages, utilities, licences, cellar gases, cleaning, consumables, waste disposal, rates & rent (obviously), accountant's fees, insurances etc. You don't say if this is a wet trade pub or if food is on offer - if the latter then obviously there will be even more costs involved. Margins are VERY tight in the majority of pubs - that's why so many are up for sale/closing down in the UK.
Talk to your local police to establish if the pub has a known problem with trouble/drugs etc. They will want to know who's now in charge anyway and will likely visit you if you don't visit them.
Talk to the council to establish if there are any ongoing problems with regards to noise etc.
I was the landlord of a pub for 3 years and can honestly say it was probably the least enjoyable period of my life ever lol. It's a 24/7 vocation and is not for everyone. Best of luck. Oh, and listen to your existing clientele (the good ones) but don't be ruled by them. In terms of troublemakers (and you will certainly get them at the outset) I found that the one strike rule was best 0 -
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Hillybilly4 wrote: »Some questions raise themselves in my mind. Are you taking on these employees with the pub?
1 yes , the other 2 employees and manager are new
Are you going to be a hands on landlord or leave things to the manager?
I wont be in the pub but ill be the money man going through all the books and buying in the stock etc
Does the pub's size/turnover warrant an employed manager? If the previous landlord relied on the manager to run things, are you sure that the problem was the landlord and not the manager? Maybe both? Who is the licensee (and ultimately responsible)? Will you be living on the premises?
no i wont be living there , ill rent the upstairs its a 3 bedrrom apartment in good condition
Im employing a manager who holds the license and has 25 years experience
ive done the insurance , bt sports at moment, may get lounge lizard (with the bingo,karaoke,cards games, horse racing, quiz night etc do you think thats worth doing? its £55 a week though)
Other thoughts that occur, in no particular order:
I'd recommend getting some training (for example from the British Institute of Innkeeping) so that at least you are up to speed with licensing laws etc (in fact training & qualifications are compulsory if you want to hold a licence).
i have no license and no experience im relying on the manager but will keep a very very close eye on the pub and all the facts and figures etc
Go through the books with a fine tooth comb to satisfy yourself that all your music/Sky/machine licences are in place and paid for. Fines in the industry can be astronomical!
Don't fall into the trap of thinking that a pint of beer bought in at £1.15 and sold for £2.20 = £1.05 profit (Am sure you haven't as you're a businessperson, but many do!) Other costs that you have to factor in (and I shall no doubt miss many out as it was a while ago since I was in the trade) include wages, utilities, licences, cellar gases, cleaning, consumables, waste disposal, rates & rent (obviously), accountant's fees, insurances etc. You don't say if this is a wet trade pub or if food is on offer - if the latter then obviously there will be even more costs involved. Margins are VERY tight in the majority of pubs - that's why so many are up for sale/closing down in the UK.
wet trade. just pies pasties rissoles, possibly sandwiches. i own a taxi and minibus business so we can always go get food for the pool and darts teams or even buy in pizzas locally.
ive worked out the wages, rates, Im hoping the 3 employees will keep it clean. ive rung the insurance and have a few quotes so far, got an accountant though he may want more with the vat involved. i need to check the electrics certificate. Ive spoken to to the suppliers, who will install lines and fridge/freezer for nothing and supply beer at £1.10/1.15 a pint though say they have more offers too.....consumables, cellar gases Ive not factored in? what can you tell me there?
utilities (water gas electrics repairs etc)
Talk to your local police to establish if the pub has a known problem with trouble/drugs etc. They will want to know who's now in charge anyway and will likely visit you if you don't visit them.
good call
Talk to the council to establish if there are any ongoing problems with regards to noise etc.
will do
I was the landlord of a pub for 3 years and can honestly say it was probably the least enjoyable period of my life ever lol. It's a 24/7 vocation and is not for everyone. Best of luck. Oh, and listen to your existing clientele (the good ones) but don't be ruled by them. In terms of troublemakers (and you will certainly get them at the outset) I found that the one strike rule was best
thanks for a marvellous reply:)0 -
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thanks for a marvellous reply:)
No problem!
With regards to bingo, karaoke, race nights, quizzes etc, personally I'd never PAY for someone to provide those sorts of things. You say you've already got sports TV and you're taking over the pub for the months of June, July & August so I think there'll probably be enough sports TV entertainment to keep your customers entertained - isn't there something called the World Cup coming up? (My pub was a music pub - no TV, only a weekly quiz night, otherwise live music, DJs and open mike nights, so I'm not the best qualified to advise on those other means of "entertainment").
If there's the demand for a quiz night then they're easy to put on yourself at no cost - prizes being vouchers to spend over the bar always work well
Cellar gases - I imagine there'll already be a supply contract in place from e.g. BOC or whoever operates in your area.
Consumables - never underestimate the cost of these lol. Glassware (glasses tend to "go missing" all the time!), optics, toilet paper, cleaning products etc.
Cleaning a pub is pretty loathsome - are you sure your bar staff are going to be happy doing this? Don't forget that keeping the beer lines clean is paramount too - ensure that you have a regular routine in place for this chore. You'll need a regular window cleaner too.
As others have said, you may only be there for 3 months, so just spend that time getting a feel for the place and your customers to see if it's what you want. Have fun!0 -
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its going allright thanks for asking.....pubs been on its knees for years, now we have guinness on tap, carlsberg, strongbow and a new welsh brains bitter.....live music is helping. though the sweltering heat hit last weeks sales a bit. few idiots but the locals tend to help us get rid of them....got afew pool and darts teams etc any more tips? the tips on here were very helpful. thanks everyone
Maybe a few table quizzes or open mic to get new people in! What kind of food are you doing?
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