What should i do first when i opening a pub?

O

omgimfamous

Hello!
I would like to open a beer pub in London.
Actually, i'm not English citizen, i'm from Latvia (European Union) :)

So.. is it possible to open pub if i'm not citizen of UK? If yes...

- What should i do first? Where to go..? which license i must have? liquor?
- Where i can find information about pub stuff, accessories..?
- Where i can find beer suppliers..?

Thank you.
Best Regards,
Peter
 
I understand a pub a day is closing in Britain. A very risky business at the moment.

A key asset to keeping a pub alive is the proprietor's people skills, local knowledge and the ability to become a strong part of a local community. Obviously Weatherspoons and large pub chains are already well established. But for the individual pub, what makes your success, is you.
 
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Hello!
I would like to open a beer pub in London.
Actually, i'm not English citizen, i'm from Latvia (European Union) :)

So.. is it possible to open pub if i'm not citizen of UK? If yes...

- What should i do first? Where to go..? which license i must have? liquor?
- Where i can find information about pub stuff, accessories..?
- Where i can find beer suppliers..?

Thank you.
Best Regards,
Peter

OhMyGodImfamous... I wonder who you really are? (why are you famous)?

Silly questions, and time waiting questions, research if you are genuine, and if you are for real, and you do not know the answers to these questions, you have NO chance of running a pub.

Poppy xx

Interesting you choose a flashy car as your Avatar...DWP come back to haunt us?
 
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O

omgimfamous

I'm not famous, it's just nickname :)

So, i have do research in web.. i've found some good stuff.
But i want to hear an advice from people, who did this before.

I love minicooper :) In monday my mini will be sold, so i decided to choose this avatar, in memory of my car :)
 
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J

jeffbearcroft

If you are determined to open a pub, the first thing you should do, is get some first hand experience of what is involved in running one.

So I suggest you get a job working in a pub first and in time you should be able to answer most of the questions yourself.

Regards

Jeff

Ok i see.. I have a good idea, how to get ppl into my pub..:redface:
So, maybe anyone know something about my questions? :)
 
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To be able to run a successful pub you need to know:-

A The area and the type of people you want to attract - its all about location, location location.
B The competition.
C Know the business inside out, or else how will you know if someone is trying to rip you off - how can you also instruct others if you have no idea.
They will spot you a mile away, and take you for a ride.
D Licensing laws in the area you are intending to start up in.
E Food (as most pubs make their revenue from the food side).
F Raising Finance.

If you are not savvy enough about finding the answers to the questions you posted - then you will get eaten alive in the pub trade (its not just about finding drink suppliers, its about knowing what sells in the area you are looking to invest in - take beers for instance, what sells well in the South, would not probably apply to the North and vice versa.

You have got to get our there - and be hands on!

Poppy xx
 
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I understand a pub a day is closing in Britain. A very risky business at the moment.

A key asset to keeping a pub alive is the proprietor's people skills, local knowledge and the ability to become a strong part of a local community. Obviously Weatherspoons and large pub chains are already well established. But for the individual pub, what makes your success, is you.

Its 36 a week

Poppy xx
 
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peebles

Free Member
Apr 13, 2008
470
76
UK
I don't know about the legal stuff.

If I were you, coming from where you come from, I would open a pub specialising in latvian local beer/lager/vodka/booze. Set up in a trendy area and advertise the fact that you can't get your beer anywhere else in London or wherever.

Set up a couple of promotional nights/stand outside on a Friday night and give people samples as they pass and invite them in.

That's how I would get people into your pub. If you do set up, let me know and I'll come in for a try of your selection.

Good luck!
 
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N

no118.co.uk

Hi OP

Setting up a pub today is very risky. I have worked in the industry one way or another for 20 years. Your first step is to find our who your local BII co-ordinator. You will need to do your licensing course and obtain a license from your local council.

Before you start, go around your locals and tal to them to see how businesses is. If they are finding it hard, of you joinh the mix, business will be diluted even more.

I wish you luck.
 
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patientlady

Free Member
Aug 25, 2009
1,464
1
283
S E England
Me thinks Peter, you found this website you surely know how to answer these questions. If you don't i apologise. Putting this bluntly you haven't got a chance, to make any money in the pub trade. Give it up now and don't waste your time.
Its all been done! Think of something new...
Hello!
I would like to open a beer pub in London.
Actually, i'm not English citizen, i'm from Latvia (European Union) :)

So.. is it possible to open pub if i'm not citizen of UK? If yes...

- What should i do first? Where to go..? which license i must have? liquor?
- Where i can find information about pub stuff, accessories..?
- Where i can find beer suppliers..?

Thank you.
Best Regards,
Peter
 
Upvote 0
N

no118.co.uk

Me thinks Peter, you found this website you surely know how to answer these questions. If you don't i apologise. Putting this bluntly you haven't got a chance, to make any money in the pub trade. Give it up now and don't waste your time.
Its all been done! Think of something new...

Sadly, I would agree with Patientlady. Not a good business to get into.
 
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David Griffiths

Free Member
  • Jun 21, 2008
    11,553
    3,669
    Cwmbran
    As has been stated before, there are plenty of pubs closing in the UK every day. Some of them of course will re-open under new owners, although the supply of dewy-eyed hopefuls who have running a pub as their dream business is rather short these days.

    There are pubs and bars making money, and it can be done if you get the business model right. Location and market are of course important. For pubs outside urban areas, provision of good food is high on the list - get that right and you will become a destination. Town centres are different.

    The underlying overheads are just as, if not more, important. Avoid the chain operators. Not only will they want top whack (and some) for the rent, you will be tied into buying your beers, wines and spirits from them, at prices that can be close to double what is on available if you buy on the open market. That means that they are taking up to half of your gross margin as well as the rent, and with swingeing penalties if they catch you buying elsewhere. Some of them want to put in meters on all the beer lines to report your sales back to them day by day, so you can't beat their system.

    And of course they know exactly what you are selling so if you do well, the rent will go up, and that drives up the rates as well.

    My local, and also a client, was paying his landlord £110 for something that he could get for £60 elsewhere - he's closed now.
     
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    First, contacy Punch/Inntrepreneur or similar.

    I'm not suggesting you run with them, but they will be able to give you some grounding on what is required.

    If you are hoping to raise finance, I'm afraid you have no hope at the moment (Sorry, but that's the way it is)

    To be positive, there is still money to be made in the game if you understand your proposition and don't get screwed into a punative lease.
     
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    My business spends its days working in pubs and restaurants. From the big high street names to the crummy locals.

    It's not hard to see why the successful ones are successful and the duffers go out of business.

    Wetherspoons for example control their costs to the last degree. They have cost saving targets and processes for absolutely everything in the business, right down to the quickest method of putting the food in the fridge in the kitchen. The whole set up lives and breathes reducing cost.

    It's a very impressive business model to see in action. There is no other high street chain as well managed.

    The others just bumble along struggling to get the bogs clean every morning.
     
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