The pros and cons of being a Publican

Why would someone want to run a pub?

The main motivation for most pub tenants, in a word is, "independence”. Most own businesses require either expert specialisation and/or extremely high capital investment. The Pub tenancy is a way to be boss of your own cash business with affordable ingoing costs and involving skills that are available to most people. However, it does require hard work and dedication.

Is running a pub the right choice for me?

Anyone who enters the pub trade with an attitude similar to this is in for a shock. Over the last generation the word ‘Publican’ has subtly transferred classification from ‘vocation’ to that of ‘profession’.

However in addition to the skills and licences, comes a requirement to comprehend and adhere to rafts of legislation (from Discrimination Law to Health and Safety requirements). Most pub staff today require contracts, pensions and parental leave. Food must comply with professional and hygiene standards.

Traditional requirements still remain however! A smile and warm welcome are still the best assets of any good publican. It remains essential to cope calmly in the face of the best, and occasionally the worst, of human nature.

The long hours and hard work are obvious pre requisites but the trade levels will always seem either too busy or too quiet.

Running a pub can be a rewarding and enjoyable way to make a living but it isn't a way of life that will suit everyone. For those who enjoy being at the heart of their community and enjoy the pleasure of giving customer satisfaction, the rewards can be more than financial. But, more than most careers it involves weighing up professional aspirations and personal considerations.

Don’t forget running a pub directly affects everyone in a dependant family. The decision is not black or white and usually it needs team consideration often involving a partner whose personality and skills may be different. Such teamwork can compensate for deficiencies in the other party but differences can also demonstrate that the pub lifestyle may not be suitable.

What type of pub would suit me?

The Nation’s pubs have never been more diverse than today:

• Wet led ale houses
• Food led gastro-pubs
• YPVs (young persons venues)
• Historic country inns
• Family orientated destination pubs
• Sports bars
• Pubs dependent on
  • function room trade
  • tourism
  • local industry
  • overnight accommodation

Pubs that appeal to more than one market or style of customer offer greater security from changes in fashionable trends or market forces On the other hand, Pubs that specialise can be regarded by their niche market customers as of superior quality.

For Harvey houses we usually say – firstly: run a house to suit the local community then perhaps try to add value with a special appeal to customers from further afield - e g with music nights, great food, quiz teams etc.

Who else can help ?

The B.I.I.
The BBPA
Numerous courses

Is this particular house right for me?

A few prospective tenants approach Harveys with the view that ‘any Harvey pub will do’ - by virtue of it being a Harvey pub. This approach can never be successful because all Harvey houses are very different. From food led Inns to traditional beer houses, Harveys relish the variety of our pubs. A tenant’s personal considerations and ambitions must be paramount (accommodating a family for example).

Preconceptions regarding trade are always dangerous; a recent assumption that since the smoking ban every pub must now look to food as its leading source of income, could not be more wrong.

When assessing if a particular house is suitable for you - go through the following stages:

• List the skills and aims of you and your family
• Conduct a single page, objective S.W.O.T analysis of the pub.
• Write a business plan (not more than six pages) - including a projected profit and loss account / cost benefit analysis
• Forecast the levels of anticipated trade at the end of years One, Three and Five.

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