London Town to hire caretakers for its closed pubs

Tenanted and managed pub operator London Town is on the lookout for nightwatchmen - and women - to keep on eye on its closed pubs.

London Town plans to create jobs for up to 300 caretakers, who will look after single pubs or groups until a decision can be made as to their future.

The exact number of caretakers required has yet to be determined, the operator said, since some people will look after multiple premises "and the exact number of pubs closing remains fluid".

Billy Buchanan, London Town's chief executive, said that just as the group provided opening services for closed pubs owned by third parties, it had found a demand for caretaking within its own estate.

"This initiative is a realistic and cost effective alternative to the current strategy of boarding up pubs and leaving them empty. The costs of boarding are considerable and the damage the process can cause to the fabric of the building can be very disturbing.

"Insurance companies also usually want gas and electricity services to be disconnected in empty pubs for safety reasons and the cost of re-installing these services has to be taken into account as well."

Buchanan explained that some caretakers will stay overnight in the pubs, some will visit on a regular basis and some will adopt a live-in role where they will look after maintenance and services.

"There will be no strict template for the jobs. The way our employees will carry out their duties will be as individual as the pubs themselves," he added.