Evan Evans reveals new tenancy strategy

The company claims the agreement, which does not require the tenant to pay a standard property rent, would let licensees earn “north of £45,000”.

Evan Evans is looking to use it as part of an expansion strategy — it is in the process of buying four pubs earmarked for the scheme as it eyes 20 managed and tenanted sites within the next 18 months.

Under the agreement, the tenant is paid a “minimal” basic salary of £10,000 per year. When set targets for profitability have been achieved, all profits from the pub are kept by the tenant.

A business plan, which factors in running costs such as staff wages and bills, is agreed up front.

In-going tenants pay a circa £5,000 bond and there are no rent payments or repairing obligations.

Tenants are tied for beer, but chief executive Simon Buckley said that major discounts are offered so the pubs can compete within their local area.

“The sky’s the limit for what they can earn out of the business, if they work hard,” he said.

“Although it’s a tenancy, it’s based on a managed model. It brings all the expertise of the managed side, but without the interference.”

Incoming tenants must meet certain criteria relating to catering experience and business proficiency with profit and loss and cash flow, Buckley said.

“This is about finding the right people for the right job,” he added.

“There are a lot of people out there who want to get into running pubs, but are frightened about the national pub companies.”

Evan Evans is looking for pubs to serve real ale, home-cooked, locally-sourced food, and provide good accommodation for the tenancy agreement.