Advice to anyone thinking of buying a pub

Not sure if this is posted in the right place.Just like to say huge thanks to contirbuters I was forever on this site end of last year and this is the first time ive had a split second to report back!

We have now been in our lovely country pub for 4 months and have no regrets.For all those thinking of buying their first pub I say go for it. We have the beams the real fire the real ale and village characters it can all be found if you look hard enough.You will come accross plenty of cowboys on the rocky path but it can be done.We were told it would take months, loans would be difficult with no experience whatsoever, loan fees would be 1.5% or more licence would be a mare etc etc etc what hog!!

In summary from selling our home to moving in took 7 weeks!!! yes only 7 weeks and this included Christmas and New Year holidays!!

In that time we raised a commercial mortgage, Roger Schooling at Sidney phillips is a knight in shining armour, Bank of scotland great for having faith in us. Got the licence sorted with an excellent solicitor, had a survey done( we paid extra for a 3 day service but well worth it as we were desperate not to lose the pub we wanted).

The hours are hellish we have spent 3 times what we budgeted for buying new fridges, kitchen refurb etc etc etc, previous owner sure was not keen on cleaning and maintainance!!

We did not even know how to pull a pint on day one but 4 months down the line business is great we serve a well kept pint including real ale and the restaurant side is really taking off ( no catering experience either).

We didnt bother paying a stock valuer as its only a small village Inn and we dont regret this.

In my view if you are prepared to work hard ie 8.00am until well gone midnight 6 days a week ( we decided to close one day each week to keep our health and sanity), be extra nice to f****its etc as you will always get em, be able to chat and smile when with extremely boring folk, tolerate snotty kids ( we allow a square yard only to be used by small folkand at lunch times only).Have a very strong marriage if you are doing it with your other half, be able to budget for the figure you thought of then add 3 noughts at least!Then dont hold back!

On the plus side we welcome dogs as we love em and this has increased business , we are on the Hadrians Wall walk.Our own dogs are getting bored with fillet steak etc as they get anything approaching its sell by date.We really enjoy sitting the other side of the bar with new friends late in the evening. It is never boring each day has at least one crisis.Its great out be out of the rat race and tedium of working for someone else.Good luck just do itJane Jane Hammill