Chris Maclean: The tale of two pub handovers

Story One

Clive put the change from his fiver back into his pocket and carried the three pints back to the table. He felt contented. Things had gone well today. It had been a good change. The new tenants in the Antelope were going to be just right for the village. Contentedly he pulled a cigarette from the packet and lit it.

Six months earlier Julie and Malcolm had made their first approach. Malcolm had been made redundant from his paper mill job and Julie was in a dull job in an estate agents. They were keen to make a new start in their lives.

The Antelope was in the centre of the village. The Crown dominated the village green offering exciting cuisine, but the nearby Antelope was the locals pub. The tenant, Nigel, had been there for about 8 months. He'd put in Sky TV and a new pool table. But the constant war of words with his neighbour had taken its toll. Nigel was struggling to make a living. Last month his wife had left him for the darts team captain. He had finally had enough.

Julie and Malcolm lived near the Antelope and it was their local. Malcolm liked the football but, on football nights, Julie was nowhere to be seen. But it was in a chance conversation with Nigel that Malcolm first heard of his plans.

The first Clive knew about Malcolm and Julie was when an enquiry form fell on his desk. Immediately he contacted them and arranged a meeting.

When Julie was a student she'd done a couple of spells behind her friend's dad's bar but neither Malcolm or Julie had got any real experience. Clive felt it was vital they got some practical hands-on experience. There were still six months before Nigel would leave. There was still time. Clive gave Malcolm details of the BII mentoring scheme and contacted a few tenants he knew. Within a few minutes he'd arranged for Malcolm to visit a couple of pubs, see their cellars and get to understand a little more of what was entailed. Both of them were going to get a chance behind a bar before they committed themselves.

Two weeks later Clive got the phone call saying that Malcolm and Julie had both done some spells behind the Park Tavern bar and were full of enthusiasm for what lay ahead. Clive was then able to give them details of the trading figures at the Antelope and plans of the pub itself detailing the private accommodation and what was, and wasn't, included. Clive also recommended a couple of decent utility companies that would suit the Antelope. And gave Malcolm a list of local suppliers and organisations that might help. He identified some of the issues and pitfalls ahead and Malcolm took copious notes.

Clive's meeting with Nigel was less fruitful. It was clear Nigel was struggling but Clive reassured him, offering him help in sorting out his finances and arranging his departure. The flat above the pub was shabby and Neil agreed to re-decorate from his delapidations fund. Clive offered a tub of lager to help towards the decorating.

It was sad Nigel was leaving but it wasn't for the lack of support.

It was good that Clive was able to give the support to both Nigel and Malcolm and Julie.

It was good news for the Antelope whose future seemed reassured.

It was good for the pubco who had a change with minimal disruption.

Alternatively;

Story Two

Clive rubbed his hands with glee. A chap called Malcolm had shown interest in the Antelope. This pub had been a nightmare on the books. One of his least favourite. The tenant had a large debt and it was only a matter of time before he failed. All the better now that a new candidate was in the wings. And he had a redundancy cheque.

Nigel was feeling lower than he'd ever felt. Business had been bad. He'd invested thousands of pounds of his saving trying to shore up the pub but nothing seemed to work. Nothing he seemed to do was sufficient to pay the ever increasing bills. Rent, rates, utilities and beer bills had all increased and now, with his wife gone, there was no support. It seemed blacker than black.

Keener than he'd ever been, Malcolm visited the pubco office. It was unfortunate Clive wasn't there but he was given a copy of a trade magazine and a booklet on the company achievements. It was only a week until he'd be signing his agreement but Malcolm had yet to see the accounts, visit the out-of-sight trade areas or the private accommodation. His excitement was tinged with a little nervousness. Still he was sure it would be OK. He'd never worked in a pub but he was confident Julie would grow to like it. After all how difficult can pouring pints be?

Clive put his change from a fiver into his pocket and carried the mineral water back to the table. He felt contented. Things had gone well today. The new tenants in the Antelope were going to be just right for the company.

On day of the change Nigel was nowhere to be seen. The barman explained he had "an urgent meeting with the bank". Malcolm and Julie started to survey what the had taken on. It wasn't like it was in the pictures. In the cellar rubbish was heaped up. Julie started to cry when she saw the private accommodation. "What do you mean we have no kitchen?" Colin the barman shrugged his shoulders and announced he'd got a job at the Bull. Brokers compared notes and laughed loudly. Malcolm tried to find out what was going on and what he was paying for but was told "we can't seperate individual items" when he wanted to know how much he was paying for the ancient glasswasher.

There was a serious water leak in the lavatory. He'd bought 27 gallons of a chemical stripper he didn't know where to use. There was a margarine tub full of keys on the table but no indication where they fitted. They made it through the first evening but, when they went to bed, it started raining and the water dripped through the ceiling..........

It was sad Nigel was leaving but he never got the support.

Clive was pleased he'd gotten rid of Nigel especially now Malcolm and Julie would replace him.

The Antelope had really good development potential.

The pubco shares remained unaltered.

One of these might be a work of fiction​.