Our high street pub
High Street Pub
Licensee: Sue Perkins
The pub: The White Hart, Hull
Location: The White Hart is on the outskirts of Hull city centre, in an area designated as a regeneration zone, with millions of pounds earmarked for luxury apartments and attractions over the next year
Time in the pub: One month
Time in the trade: Eight years
Wet/dry split: No historical figures. However, the sales mix across Sue's other three pubs is 33/67
Beer/wine/spirits split: 60/30/10 across Sue's other three pubs
Current entertainment: None
Strengths: Sue brings with her an excellent local reputation for food from her existing businesses; the location means a growing number of upmarket customers; there are few other upmarket food-led pubs in Hull
Weaknesses: After running 'pie and pint' type rural pubs, an upmarket city centre food offering is a venture into the unknown for Sue, who admits she needs help with marketing
Biggest threats to the business: Danger of over-spending on pub's development; difficulty of recruiting good staff; and large pub retail chains with cut-price drinks
What do you hope to achieve from Sell More, Save More?
"What I need is help and advice, and I am absolutely thrilled that I am going to get that," Sue says. "The aim is to get customers through the door and make it pay for itself, purely and simply. That will be achieved by putting in a kitchen, bringing on board a good menu and making the pub look more welcoming. I also want help becoming known for private parties."
