Our high street pub: Barcena

THE PUB:​ Barcena, Burgess Hill, West Sussex

LICENSEE:​ Richard Podesta

Former insurance analyst Richard Podesta has assessed the risks of taking over his first licensed venue - and he's confident that he's made the right decision.

After 19 years in the insurance business Richard has sunk his redundancy money and more besides into Barcena in Burgess Hill, West Sussex - even though, as the 38-year-old admits, he doesn't know a lot about the licensed trade.

"I've been bored with the office environment for some time, and I didn't want to spend the rest of my life doing something that I didn't find enjoyable," he says.

Richard gained his personal licence certificate while completing the old job, and is enjoying finally getting the chance to put his ideas into practice after taking over the venue last Friday (January 26).

"It's been a steep learning curve already - and I've only been here for four days," he said last week. "It's going well but I'm learning from mistakes -mostly mine!"

With a JD Wetherspoon's pub 100 metres up the road, as well as two other high street competitors, Richard knows he's going to have to learn fast.

On the spot​

Barcena is at the top of Burgess Hill's Church Road, a busy part-pedestrianised road including the town's main shops and late-night venues.

Sited in what was once a Halfords store, the bar first opened for business four years ago. Richard researched the area thoroughly while the sale was being completed, and he is confident there is a lot more potential in the site to be realised.

"Anyone that comes here can see it's got a contemporary feel, and what I didn't want was an aggressive atmosphere," says Richard. "I liked the fact that it changes its feel throughout the day from 10am in the morning when we open for coffee to lunches and more drinking at night."

The bar has a licence until 1am Monday to Saturday, and until 11pm on Sundays, although entertainment is currently limited to weekend DJ nights.

One of the biggest opportunities at the site is food. Although the site currently serves up an average 40 meals a day, with food mainly sourced from the local Booker depot, Richard is targeting the area as an obvious opportunity for growth. Last week he was awaiting the first venue from our food champion Brakes with interest.

Being new to the trade, Richard has an opened mind as to where the Sell More, Save More project will take the business.

"In the short term we are waiting to see what people tell us we should be doing," he says. "Our biggest challenge is to make sure we are doing good business all the time. We are busy at the weekend and quiet during the week. It's negligible if it's worth opening early in the week, and I w.ant to try and change that."

He's particularly looking forward to working with companies who can give him ideas for redeveloping the site, including Mercury and Westmead Contract Furniture.

Richard is currently talking with the council about the outside area at the front of the bar, which he plans to adapt with an awning, café screens and patio heaters.

Watch this space to see how he gets on…