With dozens of pubs closing all over the country every week there could hardly be a tougher time to think about taking one on.
But there are many success stories, with entrepreneurs coming up with quirky, unique and successful ways to attract punters onto their premises.
Dan Cashmore, recruitment and lettings consultant for Punch Taverns, said: “A lot of people are doing well. I think it is the individuals looking outside the box and coming up with new ways of working.
“They look at the location and the area and see what is needed and come up with a unique and different concept.”
Now, budding landlords who have always fancied giving the pumps a try can attend an opportunities event being held by Punch Taverns at The Rose and Crown on The Green at Wingrave on Monday, December 3 from 2pm-6pm.
Mr Cashmore said: “We are holding the event at the Rose and Crown because it is doing really well and we want interested individuals to see what Punch is doing.”
Recruitment manager Alyson Brookes said: “There are some fantastic pub businesses out there and we are inviting prospective licensees who want to know more about running a pub to visit the open day.
“We have a range of more than 5,000 pubs, from community locals to gastropubs, for licensees to take on with the freedom to run them as their own individual business, as well as having the backing and support of a trusted partner.”
In Aylesbury Vale there are two pubs available – The Queen’s Head in Temple Square, Aylesbury, and The George and Dragon on the High Street, Princes Risborough.
Mr Cashmore said: “Both sites are open and trading, we have operators in them, but we are looking for individuals on a permanent basis to take these sites forward.”
Business arrangements can be sorted to suit individual circumstances, with tenancies available for up to five years, and leases for a period of 10 and 25 years.
Different agreements will require different levels of funding and responsibility.
The minimum initial funding is £15,000 with the average between £20,000 and £30,000.
