Plan B one step Closer

[Cooperinliverp00l]

local pubs around my area are closing and part of the reason is sky high fees they need to pay sky/setanta for broadcasting live sport.

I'm sure i remember a friend of mine who said that it costs hundreds per month for a Sky Sports package...he was drunk so not sure how reliable that is

[zara_backdog]

I'm sure i remember a friend of mine who said that it costs hundreds per month for a Sky Sports package...he was drunk so not sure how reliable that is

It's just like IT - the subscription fee is per screen, about £300. Landlady at our local got 'done' a few months pack for not having the correct licence.

Also, you need to have an 'Entertainment' license if you want 'Live performers' in the pub.

[HeliCraig]

A close friend of mine has 4 pubs, a restuarant, a night club and a gym; so advice is offered with some second hand experience.

DO NOT GET INVOLVED WITH A "TIED" PUB.

In my friends experience tied pubs, where the PubCo own the lease and insist you buy the beer from them, are almost impossible to make money from long term. Initially the PubCo will offer you a reasonable rent and allow you to make some money; after a while they "get greedy" and rents go up, beer goes up and your barrelage rebate goes down.

They also chalk up seemingly frivellous charges, such as dilpidations and repairs etc. And woe betide you if you buy your beer from elsewhere, because they failed to supply the beer you ordered (or any alternative)...

Also, the price of their beer is shocking when compared to a local wholesaler, or a supermarket (often more than Tesco!); especially when considered against the back drop that they also get the rental income. They buy the beer off the Brewery, add margin and resell it to you (essentially, I am simplifying). Very wrong.

This is the M.O. which my friend has seen out of both Enterprise Inns and Punch - and he no longer has anything to do with them.

If you can, opt for a Free House.

[EternalOptimist]

Thanks for the responses...i should have mentioned that it is a Hotel and Restaurant so doesn't just rely on wet sales which can be hardly anything if it is tied in leashold (waiting to find out status). There are already staff in place such as head chef, Restaurant Manager, Bar Manager, cleaners and kitchen porters e.t.c so i doubt i would have to be to much hands on and can still keep some level of private time not behind the bar.

It is based in a nice area up north and has a lot of local trade as well as tourists through out the year.

Can you say exactly where coops ? If it's near Bootle, I may be able to boost your profits significantly

[Cooperinliverp00l]

Can you say exactly where coops ? If it's near Bootle, I may be able to boost your profits significantly

Sorry lot more north than Bootle

[OwlHoot]

IMHO The pub business started to decline with the smoking ban, many have gone to the wall already. Steer clear.

WHS

and even if you have your eye on one with a large patio or garden, the EU are (or were) discussing banning outdoor patio heaters.

[Platypus]

EU are (or were) discussing banning outdoor patio heaters.

I heard they are now banned