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What Next

Whether you intend to take a pub with S&N Pub Company or one of the other leasing companies there are things that you can be doing to ensure that when you move in you can hit the ground running.

Training.  Most pub companies will have some form of training course you will be required to attend, Certainly, S&N Pub Company  does and details are on the training page  Innside Knowledge is very much about running the business.  If you don’t have previous experience behind the bar now is the time to go and get some.  You need to learn the basics about pulling pints; you need to understand if you are going to enjoy the environment, and the hours.  You should also be thinking about other specialised courses if you haven’t already attended:

 

  • You will need a Personal Licence if you are going to be the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) or Premises Manager in Scotland.  This will require attending a one day course and we recommend the British Institute of Innkeeping National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders.  For courses dates and locations for local courses please contact ABV Training on 0800 061 2981 or visit their website on www.abvtraining.co.uk.  CPL Training is a private training company which offers discounted rates for S&NPC candidates on NCPLH and SCPLH courses.  Just quote S&N and either your RRM or BDMs name when booking at www.cpltraining.co.uk.  It’s worth getting this sorted as soon as possible.  If you are offered a pub you need a DPS on day one, but it could easily take a month or so from making enquiries about courses to being in a position to obtain your Personal Licence. Click here to view a helpful leaflet about obtaining a Personal Licence.
  • Someone in the business will need to be responsible for the food hygiene, even if you just sell beer.  So as a minimum a Basic Food Hygiene course will be required, usually available from your local college.
  • You should also have someone appointed to deal with first aid and this may also be available from your local college.


Money Matters:  In any small business the first few weeks will be hectic; you will probably be moving house at the same time so there’s lots to do.

  • Appoint an accountant.  A good trade accountant – one that already handles pubs and understands the business – is a must.  If you get that sorted now then they can help you with setting up for tax and VAT.  Your Busines Development Manager may be able to recommend one in your area.  If you are on a franchise agreement, we will forward your details to one of our nominated licensed trade specialists and your accountant will  contact you directly.
  • Business bank account.  You should be able to get a period of free banking when you first move in so shop around.

Marketing:  Start collecting ideas.  Have you seen a promotion which is getting customers in at quiet times?  Can you identify why a particular pub is successful – the standards; the staff; the entertainment?

  • If you are looking at a particular pub or specific area you should be visiting the pub and all of the competition as many times as possible at different times of the day/week.  And remember pub competition is not just pubs.  If there is a busy little café locally could you have some of that business if you opened a bit earlier and installed a machine that does decent coffee?  Or is nobody doing that for the local hospital and that’s an opportunity?
  • You need a business plan.  It might be a list of objectives you wish to achieve; it might be a cashflow forecast provided by the small business advisor at your bank.  What you have to identify is how much you need to make – both cash and profit.  Your accountant should be able to advice you on a “break even” figure.  Then you can start to think about how you get there; how you are going to generate the turnover you need.  We can provide a formatted business plan which may help get you started; don’t be put off by this.  It is a long document, but you don’t have to fill in all of the boxes immediately – much of it is food for thought and areas you need to start planning for. Click here for more……….