Check on our website to see if there is a business of interest to you. If there is then the more knowledge you have of that business the more chance you have of making the right decision of whether to apply for it and in the long run the greater the likelihood of succeeding.
Before applying go to the pub as a customer, look at the competition in the area and decide what difference you could make to that business.
The 5 Stages to Taking Over Your Own Pub
1 APPLY
If you are still interested, and you haven’t made contact with us before then you can apply on line form or you can phone our Recruitment Hotline on 01254 686840 for an informal chat and an application form.
2 INITIAL INTERVIEW
All our Area Business Managers have access to every application received. You may be invited to discuss your application for the pub you have specified or if you have indicated a general interest you may be asked to attend an interview with a future appointment in mind. Either way this gives us a chance to meet you but equally important for you to form your opinions of us and helps you to decide if you want to conduct a business with Daniel Thwaites.
You may not be the only party interested in that business but nevertheless you will be provided with trading figures for that pub together with a permit to view and the outgoing tenant will be asked to provide you with relevant information to assist you in your decision regarding that business.
3 BUSINESS PLAN
You need to determine the profitability of the business yourself. Whether you or not you are required to present your business plan to the ABM or not you are strongly advised to complete one in order to satisfy yourself about the viability of the pub and to consider the funds and assistance required. You can down load our sample business and marketing plan by clicking here.
(Click here to view the business and marketing plan in word format.)
We strongly recommend that you obtain good professional advice from experts in the trade such as solicitors, accountants, stocktakers and independent trade bodies such as the British Institute of InnKeeping of the FLVA
Click here to view a list of Professional Contacts.
4 SECOND INTERVIEW
You will be asked to attend a second interview with the ABM to discuss in detail your business plan and your financial projections. This is a great opportunity for both parties to ensure that all areas of the business – from marketing, pricing, staff, financial cashflow – have been considered. At this meeting you must bring the following forms of identification: (the original must be brought to the meeting together with a copy for the ABM to retain on file).
Sole Traders:
Evidence of Identity – at least one of the following is required:
Current Signed Passport
EEA member state identity card
Current UK or EEA photocard driving licence
National identity card carrying a photo
Evidence of address – at least one of the following is required:
Recent utility bill or statement (within the last 6 months)
Local council tax bill for current year
Current UK full driving licence (you must not use a driving licence of proof of address if you have already used it as proof of ID)
Bank/Building Society Statement (within the last 6 months)
Companies and Partnerships:
Certificate of Incorporation (Companies) or of Registration (Partnerships)
List of a minimum of 2 directors or partners (as applicable)
Proof of Registered Address (Companies) or Principle Office (Partnerships)
List of Shareholders (Companies)
Articles of Association
Evidence of identity - at least one of the following is required.
5 APPOINTMENT
If you are successful with your application then an offer will be made to you in writing. This will include heads of terms, a blank copy of the relevant agreement and a price list.
At this stage you should take any necessary professional advice and arrange any necessary training with Thwaites before confirming acceptance. For further information on the Training Available click here.
Amongst others you should be aware that legally you will be obliged to take over the employment of existing staff and you should also check if there are any planning restrictions or statutory notices outstanding. Your solicitor should be able to help you with this.
Licensing – A team of Blackburn based solicitors deal with the transfer of the premises licence into your name and can provide details on any conditions that are in place on your licence. They can be contacted on via your ABM.
In a leased property you will be taking on full repairing and insuring obligations therefore you must take the advice of a qualified building surveyor who understands the implications contained within the agreement and what will need doing to the property over the term of the lease.
In all cases we will provide a full Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) specific to the premises in question.
There are many things to remember when taking on your own business. At Daniel Thwaites we will provide you with a checklist to help you to remember everything that you need to organise prior to taking over the pub. More information is available at ‘Tapping into Great Support’.