Could You Run a Pub?

Many of us dream of giving up our day jobs and becoming our own boss and one of the most popular routes to self-employment is by becoming a pub landlord. Whether its that rambling ivy covered pub in the country or the friendly public house on the corner of a busy city street running a pub has always being the ideal job for many of us.

Unfortunately though becoming a landlord and running a pub isn't just a cast of pulling a pint now and again whilst propping up the bar in the company of friendly locals. Before you take the plunge into becoming a landlord there are a few things to consider. Running a pub is very hard work and it is important to not have any illusions about the demands the job would have on you!

Pubs are of course an institution in the UK. Apparently over 25% of people over the age of 18 in the Uk visit a pub at least once a week. Allowing for those who make return visits, the British pub trade is massive. What this means is that there is a massive marketplace. But it also means that there is huge competition and, to make your pub succeed, you have to make it stand out from the crowd.

More people visit a pub because of its atmosphere rather than its choice of beer so creating the right kind of friendly atmosphere for your clientele is a huge challenge. Successful landlords recognize that fact - and that is why they are successful.

Another vitally important task is to find the right mix of entertainment. 90% of public houses in the UK serve food and more people eat in pubs than dine out in restaurants. Creating an attractive menu with well cooked food whilst maintaining a competitive pricing structure is a difficult task but one that needs to be met.

Apart from food, publicans also need to provide other entertainment for their customers. Live music, quizzes, video games, pool and outdoor play areas for the kids are just some of the options. One of the traditions in British pubs is for the landlord to field sports teams usually competing in local pool, darts and football leagues. This can entail sponsorship and providing post-match food. The trade off of course is added custom at the bar. So entertainment needs to be carefully planned by anyone thinking of becoming a publican.

Training is essential for the prospective pub landlord and his staff. The law in the UK states that anyone who wishes to sell alcohol to the public must take and pass a licensed retailing examination and hold a personal alcohol license.

Training courses are overseen by the British Institute of Inn keeping and can be taken at a number of independent training centers around the UK. Anyone wanting to run a pub must pass one of these courses which are run at various independent centers around the country.