Pubcos pledge not to use recruitment firms
Pub companies are pledging not to use recruitment firms that charge thousands of pounds for the promise of training and a pub placement.
The Publican has exclusively revealed that many licensees say they are still waiting to be placed and some say they have been offered lists with pubs that are not even trading. Some would-be licensees have paid up to £7,000 to these companies. Pub companies are concerned that potential licensees are being discouraged from entering the trade because they have had bad experiences and lost thousands of pounds. The scandal also reflects badly on reputable management companies used by some of the pub operators.
Punch Taverns says that it does not use any management companies and wants potential licensees to come to them direct.
Adam Smith, head of retailer recruitment at Punch Taverns, said: "We would want people to retain their capital to invest in their business.
"We don't charge anyone money to come out and look at a pub. We feel we are best suited to matching people with the right pub."
Greene King Pub Company commercial director Paul Lloyd has asked for a list of companies that The Publican has received complaints about. He said: "We are not, nor do we plan to use any of the companies identified."
Brewer Fredrick Robinson has already pledged that it will not use these companies, and it is sending copies of The Publican's story with a letter to all applicants to warn them about the dangers.
Ted Tuppen, chief executive of Enterprise Inns, said: "Our strong recommendation to licensees wanting to take on a pub is that they make contact directly with reputable companies such as ourselves."
Have you has a similar experience with a recruitment firm? Or are you a pub company that would like to pledge not to use these companies? Contact Michelle Perrett on 020 8565 3053 or e-mail zvpuryyrc@gurchoyvpna.pbz.
Related articles:
Recruitment companies continue to fail licensees (2 September 2004)
Training companies fail to deliver on promises (26 August 2004)
