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Pub Landlady

First things, first, and in case you didn't know...

Being a pub landlord/manager requires a strong character, first and foremost, plus strong management, commercial and practical skills. You'll need to constantly adapt your approach to ensure that the pub is profitable, pleasant and safe and that it is run in accordance with the law and ethical guidelines... And run in line with (most of all) local community expectations around you.

Key skills/talents

  • Customer service skills - A LOT of these!

  • Leadership skills - the term calling a spade a spade has never been more applied than in a pub trade, and if that’s not for you, as a pub owner/manager, or indeed as staff, then this isn’t the role for you.

  • Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations - A LOT of this!

  • Resilience - A LOT of this! To manage the good times and the bad… Who knows when another Covid might happen?!

  • The ability to work well with others, which includes lots of skill levels and personality types. You’ll get it all.

  • Sensitivity and understanding - A LOT of this! From staff and customers. Luckily there’s alcohol available to help.

  • Business management skills - how to manage costs, revenue targets, profitability etc

  • To be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently, in order to run the business successfully.

  • Excellent verbal communication skills - A LOT of this!

  • The ability to motivate and manage staff (although let's face it, it’s a fun place to work!)

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​Qualifications required

There are no set requirements to owning or running a pub,, but you will inevitable find it useful to have experience in customer service at a supervisory level, and lots of experience of bar work. Certainly, if you’re applying to manage someone else’s pub (even a small chain), they’ll expect both of these things, even for a lower-senior role.

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Some large pub chains actually run graduate management trainee schemes to set you on this path..

To work for someone else at a senior level, you'll usually need to do the Pre-Entry Awareness Training (Publican) e-learning course: https://bii.imiscloud.com/BII/Industry_Advice/PEAT/BII/Industry-Advice/PEAT.aspx?hkey=08bbfbbc-087d-4245-969d-d92c4ed1fefc

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You'll also need to complete (whether working for yourself or others) the British Institute of Inn keeping Awarding Body Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders to apply for a personal licence: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-licence-application--2

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As a manager of a pub or bar that sells food, however, you'll usually need a qualification in food safety accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health: https://www.cieh.org/training-and-courses/work-based-training/food-safety

It is, of course, possible for anybody with enough financial backing - and the will to do so - to buy a pub or bar, when it becomes available. Or indeed to set one up from scratch with the appropriate premises.

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Rules and regs

You will need to adhere to several government guidelines associated with licensing: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/premises-licence-application-forms/premises-licence-guidance. Local councils will have specific guidance and restrictions that they can share with you.

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There is also The Pub Code etc regulations 2016 to be aware of: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2016/9780111147481/contents

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And if you are selling food: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/food-business-registration

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Licensing, if course, is key to this whole role/career path: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/alcohol-licensing

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It should go without saying (but just in case), prospective candidates should be at least 18 years old and undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, given their responsibility/management of public safety of all ages and all potential levels of vulnerability: https://www.gov.uk/request-copy-criminal-record

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A premises licence authorises the use of any location for activities associated with the selling of alcohol. To apply you will need to determine the local council under which your pub falls. Applications are made to the local authority’s licensing department. You will need to submit an application form, a detailed floor plan of the premises, and the relevant fee. A Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) must be named in the application. You will need to advertise your application, both at the premises and in a local newspaper, to allow any objections. Points to note: The licence will list the licensable activities permitted, the times when these activities can take place, and any other conditions & the licence remains valid as long as the pub operates, but there’s an annual charge: https://www.gov.uk/find-licences/premises-licence

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Personal licence - A personal licence allows an individual to sell or authorise the sale of alcohol. Any pub will need at least one personal licence holder – the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS).

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Application process:

  • The applicant must be 18 years or older.

  • Obtain an accredited qualification, like the Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders.

  • Apply to your local council with the application fee, proof of qualification, and a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.

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Points to note with this: The licence is portable, meaning you can use it anywhere in England and Wales. It’s valid indefinitely, provided you don’t have any disqualifications.

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Like most business you will need insurances & many insurance brokers have  policies specific to bars & pubs, i.e...

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Remuneration framework

All bar salaries vary hugely by location, chain and experience, but below  should give you a bit of an indication..

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We couldn’t even begin to guesstimate earnings for an independent pub (landlord/landlady), simply because the variables are so huge. but as Katie says, she earns a good living, and good probably means very good. However, she also works very very hard. So choose your poison ()to quote an industry phrase) and choose your path wisely.

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How to get started

A super obvious route involves starting out, simply, as a bar person and advancing through the ranks to supervisor and manager level with accumulated experience. This tends to be the path most people go through… Katie in particular, which she then tipped up with the relevant licence training and health and safety training.

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To take/undergo a level 2 Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders, here are your providers: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/accredited-personal-licence-qualification-providers/accredited-personal-licence-qualification-providers

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You could also look to study Hospitality Management by way of a City & Guilds course: https://www.cityandguilds.com/qualifications-and-apprenticeships/hospitality-and-catering/hospitality-and-catering/7148-hospitality-management-diploma#tab=information

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Starting with a hospitality manager 'higher apprenticeship' is an option, providing a pathway to applying for pub landlord positions after gaining experience in the beverage industry: https://findapprenticeshiptraining.apprenticeships.education.gov.uk/courses/223

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Large pub chains often offer year-long graduate management trainee programs, seeking candidates with relevant work experience and a degree in areas such as business, marketing, hotel and catering, or hospitality management with licensed retail knowledge.

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Many large chains also have/offer training in becoming a publican…

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And then…

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Associations or official bodies to register with

The British Beer & Pub Association are the UK's leading trade association representing pubs and breweries: https://beerandpub.com

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The Licensees Association gives voice to those who run independent businesses in the licenced trade: https://www.licensees.org

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The British Pub Confederation provides a strong voice for Britain’s Pubs and publicans, bringing together organisations who represent licensees, pub supporters and pub campaigners: https://britishpubconfederation.co.uk

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The British Institute of Innkeeping has been running for over 40 years, and today exists to provide its 13,000 members with key support to help their businesses thrive, take their voices to Government to champion our incredible sector: https://www.bii.org

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Job site links

Most bars & restaurants will offer roles locally (so keep an eye on FaceBook and similar). In addition all the usual job sites list bar/pub management roles, although 'Indeed' seem to own most of this sector, so register with them, and keep active on their site.

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Progression pathway

As we’ve said, by starting out as a bar person, and then with experience, training and support, you can work up through the ranks of manager level, like Katie, and from there you can even go on to area or indeed regional manager level (and beyond), if you like working for a bigger corporation.

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Alternatively, and like Katie, once you have that management experience, and if you want to go it alone (it isn't for everyone, as you’ve heard - or as you will hear - it’s a lot of hard work and is not for fair-weather folk), you could use this experience to set-up or buy and run your own bar or pub.

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If you enjoy working for a chain or brewery you may diversify into regional management.

institutions we've listed above. As the saying goes, those who can, teach.

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