Careers in managed pubs: The first step
So once you've decided that the licensee's lot is for you, how do you go about approaching companies?
Your first step on the road to managing a pub is to get some experience in a pub. Only then will you really know whether you are suited to a life behind bars. It's also possible to take formal qualifications before you start approaching pub companies. To get a licence you will need to pass the National Certificate for Licensees (NCL), awarded by the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), or an equivalent qualification.
The course and exam is available at colleges around the country and takes about a day to complete. It trains you in the basics of licensing laws and your social responsibilities as a licensee. To find out where you can take the NCL contact the BII on 01276 684449 or go to www.bii.org.
If you want to go straight in as a pub manager most companies will require you to have some management experience, preferably in retail or some other customer-facing environment.
If you join the company as a trainee your personality is likely to be your most valuable asset and you will get trained in the management skills.
For our listings (click here to view), the managed pub companies were asked to provide details of their recruitment package for management trainees and experienced managers. Where no information was supplied we have included the basic contact details for companies that have significant managed estates.
When choosing which companies to approach consider geographical strengths and the kind of pub that you want to run. High street bars, community pubs and food-led houses are three very different animals and require different kinds of people to run them so research the company first to find out what it specialises in and the retail brands it operates.
Companies also give their pub managers varying degrees of control over the way the business is run so you also need to be sure that the pub group you choose is right for you.
- For information and advice on getting into the pub industry through buying a leasehold, tenancy or freehold, go to www.thepublican.com/property/buying.html.
Case study: The Crown
Shepherd Neame managers Mark Harris and Fiona McKenna (pictured), who run the Crown in Chislehurst, Kent, were inspired to become publicans after looking at the business from the customer side of the bar.
Fiona was working in IT and Mark was importing tyres when they became pub managers six years ago. They made the switch to Sheps after working for a bigger company last summer. They had learned a lot but felt limited by being part of a large chain and wanted to provide a more individual and original experience for their customers.
"The brewery lets us use our judgement," says Mark. "When two fruit machines and a cigarette machine turned up by the front door we knew it was wrong for the pub. It only took a phone call to have two taken away and the other placed in a more discreet position."
The pub now boasts a top-class restaurant which, in consultation with customers, has gone from smoking to non-smoking and the couple run wine, beer and food matching events.
"It's hard work but very satisfying," says Fiona.
