Wadworth sets up Pub School for new tenants

Wiltshire-based brewer Wadworth has launched a Pub School for new tenants at its flagship pub — the Green Dragon in Market Lavington.

Potential tenants can spend a week working alongside award-winning licensees Steve and Nicky Wragg to get an honest view of the highs and lows of running a pub.

The Pub School is an extension of the Wadworth Buddy Tenant scheme, which offers potential tenants the chance to shadow existing tenants in 12 pubs around the region.

"Steve and I have been running pubs since 1984 which means that we have a huge insight into the day-to-day issues of pub life and can pass on this knowledge," said Nicky Wragg.

"There are many things that, looking back, I wish that I had known and which you can never learn on a course: The hassles of change over day, what happens when there's a problem in the cellar, the fryer breaking down on a Saturday evening, running a pub when you have young children.

"The week will be relatively structured and can be adapted to suit varied levels of experience. We will be including visiting their local competition, looking at what 'good pubs' do well, stock taking and so forth. We realise that this is a life-choice for new tenants and the idea is to give them some useful practical knowledge to enable them to stay-the-course."

Christine Kershaw, Wadworth tenant recruitment manager, added: "We understand that there is not other working environment like a pub and that this kind of real-life information can only be learnt on-site.

"When we are at offer stage tenants are now able to opt for a free week at the Green Dragon Pub School to really live-the-life. Not only will this benefit new tenants enormously but will ensure that we maintain a long-term stability across the Wadworth group."