A benchmarking survey of pub operating costs — designed to help in rent calculations — has been opened up to the whole trade for the first time.
The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) benchmarking survey, recently praised by both the Business and Enterprise Committee (BEC) and the Royal Chartered Institution of Surveyors (RICS), will now be open to all — from managed operators, large and small, to individual lessees.
The survey aims to benchmark the common controllable operational site costs, which are useful in calculating rent.
The BEC recommended that there "should be industry guidelines on the average costs of running a pub such as those in the ALMR benchmarking survey" while RICS said the ALMR's survey is "hampered by lack of cross industry co-operation".
The ALMR Benchmarking Survey collects data on the average cost of running different types of licensed premises. It aims to develop Key Performance Indicators for common cost centres to allow operators to benchmark company, outlet and management performance.
The detailed results are broken down by trading style, size of company, tied, free of tie and by region — but the full report will only be released to companies who take part.
"At a very basic level the results will provide a sounding board for assessing your own business model and reviewing your cost structure," said ALMR chief executive Nick Bish.
"But the biggest benefit of getting involved is using the data to test whether the allowances made by your landlord for operating costs are realistic."
He added: "We also use the information to lobby Government and provide facts for the Valuation Office."
All information provided will be kept strictly confidential, stored and analysed on a non-attributable basis. The survey is being carried out in conjunction with CGA.
Responses should be submitted by the end of November at the latest.
• To download a benchmarking questionnaire click here.