The support you receive does not only begin once you enter your pub. At Daniel Thwaites we are proud of the on going support and development that we give to our licensee that starts as soon as the offer of the pub has been made.
Essential preparations now begin to ensure that from day one you can concentrate on running your pub and putting your business plan into operation. The following list and timescales are only suggestions and should not prevent you from contacting your Area Business Manager to seek advice if you so wish.
Where possible the terms of your lease or tenancy will be forwarded to you together with an offer letter approx 8 weeks before the date you take over the business. If it is a lease then you will need to appoint a solicitor experienced in Brewery leases and ensure a full building survey is carried out on the property.
Other actions area also required – ideally 8 weeks prior to commencement of the agreement start date.
Inventory Valuation This valuation will have been undertaken by an independent valuer on behalf of the outgoing tenant. You can share these valuation costs or appoint your own valuer. This valuation clearly indicates the Fixtures and Fittings transferring with the business to you and an overall cost. Itemised values are not provided.
Book a Stocktaker Confirm that a stocktaker will be present on the day – this will normally be Stockcheck and will be arranged by your ABM.
Register for VAT Application forms are available at your local Customs and Excise office.
Register for PAYE You should register with your Inland Revenue Office. Provided you know the date you will be taking over the business they will accept your request.
Decide on your bank You will need to open a business account.
Order PDQ Machine This will allow you to accept payment by card should you have identified this need in your business plan.
4 - 8 weeks prior to take over and in accordance with your business plan finalise your marketing and opening plan
4 weeks prior to takeover
Organise insurance You will need to organise public and employers liability insurance together with contents insurance
Confirm staff details Legally you are obliged to take on those people contractually employed within the business on the same terms and conditions they presently enjoy
Confirm existing suppliers They are numerous but include food suppliers both fresh and dry goods, cleaning materials, glassware, music, cigarettes, entertainers and many more
Agree transfer of Services The most important are utility suppliers, meter readings will be taken on the day of transfer and we can provide the details of registered brokers to assist you in obtaining the most appropriate supply agreement
Catering If there is already a menu in place you may wish to continue with it or review it with our catering team (contact Judi Houghton at Daniel Thwaites PLC on 01254 686868). Remember you will have to continue to employ staff already involved in catering or if the previous tenant’s partner ran that part of the business decide upon a replacement
Bookings Not only will you need to find out if any bookings have been made and deposits paid by customers but whether regular entertainment has been booked in advance and requires honouring and whether you need to provide refreshments for regular pub teams
Local Maintenance You need to build up a list of local contacts for those repairs you are responsible for within the terms of the agreement. Ask the existing tenant if he can recommend contractors or talk to your Area Business Manager.
In the final two weeks
Funds Confirm all your funds are in place.
Sign the Agreement In the case of a lease your solicitor will advise when you need to sign and when to complete. A tenancy will be signed just before or on the day and you will receive your copy of the agreement signed by the Managing Director and Company Secretary on the day of transfer.
Keep in Contact Through out the whole process, but especially in the final 2 weeks keep in touch with your ABM who is in a position to offer advice and confirm proceedings. Also keep in touch with the outgoing tenant and visit the pub as often as practicable in order to get a picture of a normal trading week and what is going on in and around the pub.
Once you are in your pub, our ongoing business support continues.
At least every 4 weeks you will have a business review meeting with your Area Business Manager. This will give you the opportunity to discuss and review all aspects of your business – from financial controls, cellar management and product quality to staff training, licensing, retail standards and marketing.
Other support is available for you through our team of specialists:
Customer Service Team
The team can provide help with query solving, invoices and all day-to-day issues that you are likely to encounter
Telesales, Technical Service and Delivery
A dedicated team who operate in house and provide you with great service on orders, brand activity, stock management and deliveries as well as technical backup for cellar service and beer dispense
Training
Our Training team offer a range of workshop courses and distance learning methods that cater for the needs of a modern pub business
Catering Development
Here we can offer personalised assistance at pub level on a one to one basis or provide off the shelf support kits covering Specials Guide, Menu and costing guide, Due Diligence Guide, Kitchen risk assessments and stock and order files.
Retail Marketing
This team can help identify local trading opportunities, offer many tried and tested promotional ideas and help to achieve local PR and awareness of your business
Wine Development
This development team selects wines to suit the needs of the pub consumer as well as offering training and education to you and your staff on understanding wines and sales techniques. Via your ABM you will have access to on line Wine Menu printing and design
Property hotline
Our in house team can advise on maintenance issues. Within the standard tenancy agreement Daniel Thwaites have responsibility for the main structure of the building and essential plant as well as signage and exterior lighting. On redevelopments and ongoing improvements the property team will provide you with help and advice to ensure the development is managed smoothly thus allowing you to concentrate on running and marketing the business
HR and Safety issues
Daniel Thwaites can offer advice and support for you dealing with issues that affect staff as well as issues involving customers on the premises