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How to run a pub in the UK: the ultimate guide

Opening and running a pub in the UK isn’t like any other type of business. It comes with a very unique set of skills, responsibilities as well as legal requirements to follow. It can be a lot of work but a lot of reward. Shifts in consumer trends and culture have meant we’ve seen what a pub can be reimagined, and after the COVID lockdowns, UK customers have been keen to get back down to their local. However, there’s a lot to think about, and recent labour shortages, supply issues and rising energy costs have made business difficult for publicans. Every year more and more pubs are closing, and it looks like more will follow. This is both a great opportunity but also a tale of caution for new pub owners. There’s a keen consumer base, and lots of premises that are ready to be relaunched. In our guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about opening a pub in the UK, from choosing a location, to picking an EPOS system and getting your licences sorted.

What does running a pub involve?

Think of a name, find a location, choose between a tenancy and a freehold.

• Startup costs
• Create a business plan
• Get the right licenses

Get insurance

Hire your team, source your pub equipment, invest in the right technology, decide what to sell, utility costs, stock control, employee management, sales reporting, marketing your pub, special offers and discounts, opening a pub in the uk faqs.

Pretty much everyone in the UK will have been to a pub at some point, which is one reason many people want to open their own. Due to COVID, in recent years the whole hospitality industry has suffered, and the pub sector has changed.

According to figures from the ONS , the food service industry has had the largest decrease in working hours, and the chaos of lockdowns created a challenging environment. Pubs had to be innovative and think creatively, and this combined with customers being more demanding than ever means the industry has become more ambitious. Less people are going to the pub for just a couple of pints now, they are looking for a gastro or themed establishment that they know will look after them.

Landlords come from all walks of life. The main skills you’ll need to be a pub owner include:

• Commercial awareness and business knowledge – as you’ll be responsible for the livelihoods of your staff, you need to know about employment laws, management techniques and training
• Knowledge of licencing laws, health and safety and food hygiene
• Good communication and friendly so you can create an environment customers will want to come back to
• Enthusiasm for the pub trade and hospitality industry

It may help to get some experience working in your local pub if you’ve not done this before. This will give you a practical insight, and will also help you work out what you’d want to implement into your own business.

Before you open your pub

One of the first things you’ll be thinking about is what to call your pub. It’s the first thing people will see or hear, so it should be memorable and intriguing.

You could choose a classic pub name such as The Red Lion, The Crown or The Royal Oak but it may be beneficial to go for something more unique.

A lot of pubs look at their location for inspiration – if you’re on a hill, near a river or by the sea you could incorporate this into your name. This can also help position yourself within the community.

Overall, you should be thinking about how the name can tie into your overall branding and the feeling you want to give when someone visits your pub.

Where your pub is located will have a huge impact on the clientele and the type of pub it will be. If it’s in the city center, it will probably be more busy, especially at lunchtime and after work hours. If you go for somewhere more rural, you’ll probably have a more communal feel.

This will also affect your menu pricing, and costs to run the pub.

The contract you have with the pub will hugely impact the running costs. Make sure you find an arrangement that suits you – the options you have will be between a tenancy, leasehold and freehold. Most pubs in the UK are not independently owned, most will be owned by a pub company.

A tenancy is a good option if it’s your first time entering the pub trade. It is the easiest option, and the most common. You’ll get a contract for around three years so you can dip your feet in without making a long term commitment.

This type of contract will involve running a pub for a brewery or pub group. You’l have a lower rate of investment and cheaper rent, but you’ll like be obliged to only sell products supplied by the brewery or company in a beer tie arrangement.

You can also get a free of tied agreement but these are less common. This means you can shop around to find the cheapest prices and stock the brands you want, but it will be more expensive up front.

If you go for a tenancy, you won’t have to pay the upfront costs of furniture, glassware and infrastructure as it will all be provided.

The trade-off is that you could end up paying more for beer and drinks than the market rate to balance out the cheap price you’re getting for the premises.

Leaseholds are normally for more experienced pub owners. The contract lasts for over 10 years and usually requires up to £250,000 as an investment. You rent the site from a brewery or pub company still.

A pub freehold is when you own it outright. This is the riskiest and most expensive way to run a pub, as the cost to buy is often more than the pub’s turnover. However, you’ll have full control over the pub – from decor and furniture to alcohol suppliers. You’ll be able to benefit from property appreciation and if you’re able to run your pub successfully, the wards can be huge.

Startup Costs – how much does it cost to start a pub?

If you’re going for the tenancy route, these are usually between £20,000 – £50,000. This covers the furniture and fittings for the pub and a deposit for any emergency costs if you can’t cover your drinks bill. The rent will depend on the location, size and type of the pub but usually it is around 12% of turnover.

Buying a leashold is more complicated, and if negotiated with the previous leaseholder based on their accounts. These can start from £30,000 but can get a lot higher if the pub is successful.

The most expensive is the freehold option. This is normally one and a half times the turnover and costs will start from £120,000. Independent buyers will probably be competing with bigger pub companies on freehold purchases so prices can rapidly rise, and in a big city such as London investment could be around £3 million. You can get funding through a lender for up to 70% of this, as well as opting for a brewery loan if you want.

Create a business plan and analyse your competition

One of the first things you should do is create a business plan and make a realistic estimate of the amount of demand you’ll get.

Complete a SWOT analysis on other pubs in your area to see how you’ll fit in with them. What are they doing well that you could implement in your business, and what are they missing that will get customers to visit you? You should also look into what other hospitality businesses such as restaurants and cafes in your area are doing, as they could also potentially take business from you.

If you are choosing a tenancy agreement or buying a free house, you will be able to get details of the previous income for the last 12 months. This will help to give you an idea of the amount of demand there is.

Looking at the area your pub will be based in will affect your product range and what services you offer. If you’re in a city with professional workers, you may benefit from having a good range of wine and craft beers, but if you’re in a nightlife-heavy area your customers will probably want stronger drinks and good prices with entertainment.

Opening a pub

Get the right licences.

If you’re just starting to look into this, it can be confusing what licences you need to sell alcohol. You’ll need a personal licence to authorise your staff to sell alcohol on the site and a premise licence so the site is allowed to sell alcohol. You must be over 18, have no criminal record and understand the legal and social responsibilities that come with running a pub.

Premise licence

This is so your pub’s location can sell alcohol. To get this, look on your local council’s website for an application. With this licence you’ll need to adopt an age verification policy and provide free drinking water. You’ll be responsible to promote drinking responsibly.

Personal licence

To sell alcohol yourself, or to allow your staff to do so, you need a personal licence. First, you need to get a qualification for an accredited provider. Once you’re qualified, you should legally declare yourself a designated premises supervisor (DPS). The DPS on a site must always hold a personal license and is the key person responsible for the sales and supply of alcohol. They’ll be the first point of contact for the government and police. Their must make sure the pub meets four licencing objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, protection of children, public safety and reduction of public nuisance.

In additional to licences, you also need to make sure you have the right insurance. You’ll probably need:

• Public liability insurance which protects you if someone has an injury or damage to their property as a result of your business
• Employers’ liability insurance, which you’ll need if you have employees
• Business insurance, which covers building damage such as caused by a fire or flood

Your staff will be key to your pub’s success. If they are friendly then they’ll help to create regulars and encourage repeat business, but if they are rude people won’t want to come back.

Patrons should feel comfortable and welcomed, so emphasise this when you hire and train your staff. You’ll need to hire:

• Bartenders – potentially the most important role in the pub. They will be the key point of contact with customers so should be a good communicator.
• Barback – your barback will be in charge of collecting empty glasses from tables and ensuring the bartender has a steady supply of clean ones.
• Chef – if your pub will be serving food, you’ll need a chef. The gastropub has risen in popularity over recent years, so if you are, people will expect something decent. This doesn’t have to be gourmet quality, but make sure the chef is competent.
• Wait staff – if you’re serving food you’ll also need a couple of wait staff on shift. These won’t have to give restaurant level service, but are needed to take dishes from the kitchen to tables and back again.

Draught beer systems

The most key equipment in your pub will be your draught beer system. A pub wouldn’t be a pub without beer on tap!

The two main parts of this are the taps, which are on the bar, and the kegs, which are in the basement. These are connected by tubes that should be regularly cleaned and changed.

Draught beer will be delivered in kegs by your supplier, which you’ll have to connect to the tube lines so they can be dispensed from the taps. Your pub cellar will provide the perfect environment to keep your kegs nice and cool.

When they are connected, the beer will make its way up the line using carbon dioxide, which creates pressure. Your system will have a pressure gauge so you can control the pressure within a keg. Make sure you choose the right pressure level to keep your beer and ale fresh, as different kegs will have different requirements. If you have too much pressure, the beer will be foamy, but too little and it will go flat.

You’ll need to purchase the right amount of glassware so you don’t run out. Keep a selection at your bar but store some backups in the cellar.

Think about how many customers you’ll be serving and remember to account for shrinkage and breakage of glasses.

You’ll definitely need pints and half-pints, as you’re legally required to serve beer in these measurements . You may get a free set of branded pint glasses when you buy beers from a supplier.

You’ll probably also need wine glasses, tumblers and cocktails glasses at your bar.

Measures and pourers

In the UK, you are required to serve alcoholic drinks in set measurements:

• Wine – 125ml or 175ml
• Spirits – 25ml or 35ml
• Draught beer and cider – full pint, half pint, third or two-thirds of a pint
• Fortified wine – 50ml or 70ml

You must stick to these measurements or multiples of them. For example, cocktails could have double units so would have two shots of 25ml in them.

To make sure you stick to this, you’ll need equipment to measure the right units. For cocktails, you’ll need jiggers to make this easier. You can also place pourers on top of spirit bottles to avoid spillages and help with precision.

To get your customers to stick around for longer, you might want to integrate some pub games. The most common are a pool table and dartboard, but if you want to be more unique you could think about air hockey, arcade games and football tables to create a fun atmosphere.

Pub technology has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, and can be a great way for your business to save money and become more efficient. By choosing the right system from the start you’ll be able to hit the ground running.

EPOS system

The main piece of technology you should be looking at is a pub EPOS system . This is an electronic till system, that will manage your menus, process orders, collect data and produce reports that will help you manage your pub.

Handheld ordering tablets

If you’re serving food, you may want to give your wait staff handheld ordering tablets so they can place orders during table service. Orders placed on the tablet get sent to your bar or kitchen printer, so your staff can start making their drinks or food as soon as possible.

Contactless card readers

If you don’t have a contactless card reader, you could be using out on a lot of business. More than 7.4 million brits are now living a ‘cashless life’ so make sure you’re not getting left behind. These can help speed up service massively during busy times and help to cut down queues at the bar.

You need to know where your income is coming from, and how important each component will be to the business.

The drinks you stock will be affected by your customer base. Whatever that is though, you will want a range of drinks so there’s something every customer will enjoy.

Typically, this will include beer, wine, spirits, liquors and a selection of soft drinks. If you want something more sophisticated you can offer cocktails and mocktails.

To draw in more day time guests, you could also think about offering a hot drinks range of coffee and tea.

Offering food is a good way to get guests to stay in your pub for longer. This can range from a simple bar snack menu, to a full restaurant service.

Sunday lunches are always a great hit at pubs, and if you’re in a holiday area afternoon tea can be a good idea too. Think about offering regional specialities to draw in more visitors.

If you decide to offer full meals, think about incorporating online ordering for takeaway and click and collect. You could sign up for Just Eat, Deliveroo or Uber Eats, or offer a service for customers to order directly from you .

Managing your pub

Like any business, you’ll have to pay for your utility bills. A pub can use a lot of electricity and gas, and your location can have an effect on this. It’s difficult to predict exactly what your utility costs will be, especially at the moment during turbulent price increases.

Managing your stock is essential to running a pub, helping you to maximise your profits and plan for the future. If one type of ale is vastly outselling another, you’ll want to make sure you have enough stock to meet the demands, and you don’t want to be buying too much stock that won’t get used.

There are a few ways you could manage your stock. You can do this the traditional way, sifting through to books to try and find patterns or just observe how much everything is selling. A more reliable way, and what we would recommend, is using an EPOS system to keep track of this for you.

For example, with Gardiff EPOS, you can quickly and easily view an accurate record of all your stock , orders and purchases. You can track this in real time, and view your data from anywhere you have an internet connection.

• Create supplier stock orders and book these into your software to automatically update stock levels
• Create recipes for custom items such as food dishes and cocktails
• Sync your data with your back office so you have an end to end view of your operation

Managing your employees is a toss up between reducing labour costs as much as possible, whilst still keeping everyone happy. The industry has a historically high turnover rate, so you need to be able to train new employees quickly on your processes and any software or equipment you use.

We know if you’re looking to open a pub, the last things you’ll probably want to spend your time doing are creating sales reports and forecasts. That’s why it’s important to choose an EPOS system that makes this as simple as possible, so you can see all the important data in one place.

Reports you’ll want to have include:

• Best selling products, purchase orders and stock
• End of day reports for an overview of your sales and cash activity
• User reports on different staff members so you can track their performance

The rise of social media has made marketing your pub easier than ever. You now have access to a whole market that would have been difficult to reach in the past.

It’s important to know your audience and plan posts around who you’re targeting on your social platforms. The main age groups on social media are millennials and gen-z, but these groups are also known to not drink as much as previous generations. To combat this, you could think of extra ways to draw this age group in. Some extra ways to make your pub attractive to new audiences include:

• Pub quizzes and games nights
• Hosting special tastings for beer, wine or spirits for enthusiasts
• Live music or a juke box
• Bar games such as darts and pool
• Arcade machines
• Show live sports on the TV
• Convert rooms into bedrooms for overnight stays

Who you choose to target will also depend on the location of your pub, and the demographics of the area.

Whatever your pub offering is, you’ll be wanting to let people know about it. You could advertise in the local newspaper and leisure guides, and put up banners or posters outside the pub so people know what you offer.

You’ll probably want your own website showing off what makes you unique. You could also take bookings and enquiries through here.

You will need to be careful what you are promoting, as there is a government ban on irresponsible promotions leading to binge or ‘speed drinking’. Pubs are also required to have fresh water available to customers for free.

A lot of pubs have a ‘happy hour’ in the early evening to attract more customers. Promotions on specific types of beers is also common.

Can I run a pub with no experience?

You don’t need to have previous experience to run a pub, but it will definitely help. Running a pub uses many skills, so any relevant business or management experience will come in handy. Personality also makes up a big part, as you’ll need plenty of enthusiasm and good communication to succeed.

Is owning a pub profitable UK?

Pubs are a core part of British life, and they’ll always be needed. It can be an extremely lucrative business if you do it right, and there’s more opportunities than ever to break the mold to increase profits.

Profits will generally be 20-25% of turnover, and this will depend on the size of the pub and if you have a tied lease.

Can I run a pub without a Licence?

No – all businesses that undertake licensable activities must have the correct licenses to do so.

Opening a pub in the UK does have its challenges, but if you do it right, it’s an incredibly rewarding career. The number of pubs in the UK has been declining every year, so there’s more of a need than ever for great pubs that can bring the community together. If you’re looking for an EPOS system for your new pub, get in touch .

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PUB BUSINESS PLAN: 10 Steps to a Great Business Plan For Your Pub

• by Folakemi Adegbaju
• August 14, 2023
• No comments
• 10 minute read

Table of Contents Hide

#1. plan your business, #2. financial plan, #3. define your brand, #4. location, #5. open a business bank account & credit card, #6. form a legal entity, #7. get business insurance, #8. obtain necessary permits and licenses, the main objectives of a pub business plan, #1. executive summary, #2. company overview, #3. market analysis, #4. customer analysis, #5. describe your product or service, #6. describing your organization and management, #7. explain your funding request, #8. technology and taking payments,  #9. develop a marketing and sales strategy, #10. appendix, final thought, is it profitable to open a pub, is opening a bar a good idea, is it hard to run a bar.

It’s an exciting initial step to decide to create a pub. When launching a new business, such as a pub, it is critical to have a good pub business plan. Business plans follow a tried and true formula, but if you’re opening a pub, you need to take a more specialized approach. Have you always dreamt about how to operate your own pub but aren’t sure how to begin? You’ve undoubtedly considered your idea and name, but perhaps you’re unclear about the ins and outs, such as how to secure funds and licenses. You are going to get answers to them in this article because we are going to talk about how to start a pub business, the 10 steps to take when writing a pub business plan, the template and the example.

Let’s kick off!

How to Start a Pub Business

The following are ways by which you can start a pub business:

Make a plan for your pub’s business, entrepreneurial success requires a very good plan.

This includes researching the competition and the surrounding area. You’ll explain how you plan to make money with your pub in the pub business plan template. Create a blueprint for your company’s structure and vision. It will also assist you in mapping out the details of your company and uncovering some unknowns.

If necessary, seek finance for your pub business. If you don’t have enough money in your savings account to cover everything, you’ll need to look for outside help. This could be in the form of fundraising or a commercial loan . Show your pub business plan to potential investors or lenders to acquire the funds you require.

Your business brand is both what it stands for and how the general public perceives it. A strong brand will set your pub business apart from the competition. Advertise your new pub business thoroughly. You’ll need to work hard to market your new pub once it’s open. This could include handing out fliers or airing commercials on the radio and television. Cross-promotions with non-competing businesses could also be beneficial. You must spread the word about your company to customers.

A pub location can be rented or purchased. One of the most crucial elements to consider when opening a pub is the location. You’ll need to select a site with a lot of foot traffic and close proximity to neighbourhoods with lively nightlife .

Personal asset protection requires the use of distinct business banking and credit accounts.

Your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk when your personal and business accounts are intermingled. This is known as piercing your business veil in business law.

Learning how to build business credit can also help you secure credit cards and other financing in your company’s name (rather than your own), lower interest rates, and increase credit lines.

Create a legal business corporation to protect yourself from personal liability in the event that one of your customers files a lawsuit against you. To form a corporation or a limited liability business, you must file articles of incorporation or articles of organization with your state.

 Forming a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you if your pub is been sued.

Get your pub covered with insurance. Failure to get required permissions and licenses can result in significant fines or possibly the closure of your pub business.

There are several insurance policies designed for various sorts of organizations with various risks. If you’re not sure what kinds of dangers your company might face, start with General Liability Insurance. This is the most frequent type of coverage required by small businesses, so it’s a perfect way to start.

For your pub, obtain the essential liquor license and health department permission. You’ll need the required approvals from your local government before you can serve any alcohol.

Insurance, like licenses and permits, is required for your business to operate safely and legally. In the case of a covered loss, business insurance protects your pub business’s financial well-being.

What is a Pub Business Plan?

Businesses in the hospitality industry, whether it’s country pubs or city-centre wine bars, are often looking for fresh marketing methods to help them grow. Following the enormous challenges of recent years, it’s more crucial than ever to develop new ways to boost foot traffic and ensure repeat business in this highly competitive industry.

A pub business plan is a guide to the founders and key employees focused on their abilities and knowledge. An action plan laying out how you’ll turn your pub from a concept to a thriving business.

Imagine the people who will be reading your pub business plan to begin. It will almost certainly be potential business partners, investors, and lenders. These parties are looking for proof that a company is worth their time and money, and it is your business plan’s responsibility to provide that proof. It will be reviewed by you in the future when you assess your pub’s current success and plan your next actions. You’re ready to begin writing with all of these people’s interests in mind.

You’ve got the drive and the vision; now it’s time to create a business plan.

The following are the objectives of writing a pub business plan:

1. To Find Investors

To get all of the funds you’ll need to open your pub, you’ll have to persuade lenders to fund a portion of it. This is no simple feat in an uncertain economic context.

They use your pub business plan to demonstrate the pub’s viability as well as your own credibility as an entrepreneur. Investors will evaluate whether their own beliefs and objectives coincide with those of your enterprise after reading the business plan for a bar, and therefore whether they’re willing to supply financial support.

#2. To See the Big Picture of Your Business

A pub business plan is written for more than just potential investors. It is, above all, addressed to you. By setting up the strategy, you’re obligated to fully comprehend each part of your project in as realistic a manner as possible.

10 Steps to a Great Pub Business Plan

Spend as much time as possible reading through some examples of pub business plan templates before you begin drafting your business plan for your pub. Not only will this give you a solid notion of what you’re going for, but it will also show you the various sections and terminology that different entrepreneurs use to write about themselves and their future ambitions.

The executive summary summarizes your pub business plan’s major ideas. Before determining whether or not to read more, investors and lenders look at the first page of the executive summary. Therefore, write out the most important elements right away. Simply and briefly describe your pub. The executive summary focuses on the value proposition, also known as the unique selling point, which is an extended slogan directed at customers, investors, and employees. We advise you to consult a professional to help you with giving your pub business plan a fantastic executive summary that will attract your investor or lender.

The firm description provides a more detailed insight into your pub. It gives a broader picture of everything your reader needs to know, including your concept, location, and target market. After reading, you should know who, what, and where you are, and also why you’re doing it. Emphasize the special skills you mentioned in the executive summary. If you have a signature drink or an established business model, mention it here.

Within your pub business plan, your company overview contains three elements:

• Mission statement

These elements provide insight into the overall perspective of your business plan, allowing investors to understand the purpose of your organization and thus the objectives.

The next stage is to define your ideal potential customer as well as the size of your market, both present and potential. The market analysis examines your market and how your pub business can compete. The market refers to the specific niche into which your pub fits, rather than the entire pub.

Put your knowledge of the economy, industry, target market, and associated trends and developments into this section. This is also where you would add competition research, such as success factors and how you will position and value your product in comparison to competitors.

You’ll demonstrate competence and build confidence by being specific. It can be a red flag for investors if your target market is too large.

Because many purchasing decisions are based on emotion and identity, it’s critical to name drinks and write descriptions that cater to your target customer’s preferences. Take the time to think about how the language and topics you employ will affect them.

You need to make some findings about your targeted customer. Here are some questions you can use during your research:

• What factors influence your target customers’ purchasing decisions? 
• Do people shop for the best price, the best quality, the best service, or something else?
• How will your bar cater to the distinct demands of those customers?

Detail your offerings and any market differentiators, such as trademarks or patents, in the product or service section. Explain how your product or service benefits your customers, especially in comparison to competitors’ offerings. What you have on your menu attracts customers (and investors). From chips, beers, and drinks to mixers, garnishes, and other add-ons, list everything on your menu with descriptions and photographs.

 Because many buying choices are driven by emotion and identity, it’s critical to name drinks and write descriptions that cater to your target audience’s preferences. Take the time to think about how the language and topics you employ will affect them. 

Describe your legal form (sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation) and introduce yourself and your management team or advisors, if applicable, in this section. Your business is only as good as the people that manage it. Describe your team members and explain why they are qualified to either convert your business ideas into success or help it expand. This section of your pub business plan should highlight your team’s skills and qualifications throughout.

This section is where you’ll outline your financial requirements and the anticipated use of the money over the next five years if you’re using your pub business plan to ask for assistance. You should outline your financial request plan in the financial request area. Are you self-funding or seeking finance for your pub? Are you considering a small business loan, and if so, for how long?

The financial plan should also include the amount of revenue required to break even. Create a financial analysis that covers your profit and loss account, cash flow requirements, and balance sheet management.

Another aspect of your pub business plan to think about is the technology you’ll need to keep things running properly. You’ll almost certainly require software to manage your inventory and workforce, as well as simple hardware to accept consumer transactions.

Your pub marketing strategy or plan can spell the difference between selling so much that your pub business expands rapidly or obtaining no business at all. It is also a section that lays out your entire approach for attracting, maintaining, and acquiring customers.

Promotion of your pub business will be your primary focus in the bar industry. Customers will be enticed to spend money with you through the promotions you do. Customer retention, or how you persuade customers to return, is another crucial aspect of marketing. Growth strategies are a critical part of your pub business plan.

Here are some other marketing strategies you can use:

• Pricing Strategy

Without an awareness of how your pricing affects your profitability, it’s nearly impossible to open and manage a successful pub. When tracking how much you’re making back from what you’re buying in, the outflow cost is crucial.

• Marketing programs

Regulars will need incentives to return once your bar is open, and new customers will need to be enticed to try it out. You can do this through a variety of marketing channels, including email, social media, public relations, and sponsored advertisements. Many pubs provide things like guest bartending nights, happy hours, live music, and karaoke to keep business flowing.

• Social Media Strategy

Whether you like it or not, social media is a highly effective marketing tool for the pub business. Every pub should have a presence on social media. Social media allows you to engage directly with customers and establish your pub’s brand while also assisting them in finding basic information such as your opening hours and location.

Lastly, put together a well-organized appendix with whatever readers will need to enhance the details in your pub business plan.

The appendix is being used to give further information and any other important or required documents.

If you’re looking to develop a more modern business plan, we recommend you try Business Yield Consult. We are here as guidance to help you create the perfect pub business plan. On the other hand, you can also purchase an already-made pub business plan template at a cost-effective rate to save yourself the stress of writing one from scratch.

Yes, it is possible to make a profit by opening a bar. A successful bar’s average net profit is higher than the stock market’s average annual return.

Being the owner and operator of a pub may be quite gratifying. Not only will you be able to give your customers a location to gather and enjoy their time, but you’ll also be able to make a lot of money. In the liquor industry, there is a significant markup.

The issue is that it isn’t that straightforward. It’s difficult to open a bar, and it’s even more difficult to run a successful bar. A frightening number of people believe that just because a bar is properly stocked and the doors are open, it will produce tremendous profits if you can scrape together the cash to go in.

Being the owner and operator of a pub may be quite gratifying. Not only will you be able to give your customers a location to gather and enjoy their time, but you'll also be able to make a lot of money. In the liquor industry, there is a significant markup.

The issue is that it isn't that straightforward. It's difficult to open a bar, and it's even more difficult to run a successful bar. A frightening number of people believe that just because a bar is properly stocked and the doors are open, it will produce tremendous profits if you can scrape together the cash to go in.

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• Opening A Bar: A Comprehensive Guide

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DAY TRADING UK: A Comprehensive Guild

Business continuity plan: definition and why you need it.

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How To Run A Pub

Essential Advice & Guide To Running A Pub

The Business Plan

The essential tool for any business is the business plan. Many publicans make the mistake of writing theirs and then filing it; for the best chance of success a business plan should be an on-going document that will adapt to develop your business and bring you the best return on your investment.

A good business plan will contain all these key sections:

• A clear view of what you want your business to achieve – whether it’s to earn a set amount, be the best pub in your area for food or real ale or provide the best sports or entertainment – every pub is as individual as its publican and its customers. Some call this the “vision” or “mission” statement but whatever you call it, a good business plan will be able to communicate in plain language what your business is all about to your staff, your partners (if you have them), your bank manager and (where you have one) your landlord.
• An understanding of what impact certain factors might have on your business – whether it’s changes in the law, your local marketplace or most importantly you. It will take account of these matters and contain effective measures to ensure that they don’t threaten your business.
• Clear (and achievable) targets and objectives for you and your business and a way to monitor how your business is performing, be it above or below those targets. The plan should also contain your strategy to either increase performance or if all else fails your “exit” strategy.
• The plan will set where you want to be in the future – whether it’s a financial goal, running a group of pubs or retiring – and it should contain a clear plan for getting there.
• It will tell you (and everyone else who needs to know) what your market is, what your targets / objectives are, your customer base, SWOT/PEST analyses, your operational requirements, financial requirements and forecasts.

For a free of charge, no obligation, initial chat please click here to go to the contacts page … I look forward to hearing from you.

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Bar Business Plan

Whatever type of bar business you’re thinking of starting, this comprehensive plan will help you plan in the right direction. Available to download online immediately, it’s guaranteed to get your venture the finance you need.

The planning document uses Microsoft Word with pre-written financials in Excel. Whether you want to open a wine bar, invest in the tenancy of a public house or run a sports bar, this business plan will help you start-up effectively.

The Executive Summary of This Business Plan

This executive summary is taken directly from the bar business plan document.

Overview of the Business

Wonderbar Limited is an incorporated Limited Company with plans to redevelop the existing Bar55 wine bar in the local high street. This exciting new venture will see the transformation of the business over a period of three months.

Three highly regarded entrepreneurs who have 24 years combined experienced in running and managing wine and sports bars in the region started the Wonderbar concept. This acquisition will be the fourth in the chain that will see a total of 12 establishments created over the next five years.

The Target Market and Business Opportunities

As with our existing portfolio, Wonderbar is targeting single people in the age range of 22 to 35 for evening trade and local business custom for the lunch time trading hours. The local area has above average earnings, and the existing property is profitable in its current format.

Key Products Offered

Although the main bar offers an extensive collection of wines from around the world, there are also casual and formal areas arranged for dining options. The core offerings are:

• A comprehensive range of red and white wines including champagne from the old and new world.
• A light lunch menu to feature fresh locally sourced produce.
• A more comprehensive evening menu based on the seasons.
• Income realised from the rental of the small hospitality room for functions and meetings.

Sales and Profits Forecasts

Revenues forecast for the first year of operations are £603,306 with this increasing by 10-12% for the subsequent two years. Net profits are forecast to be 21% after Directors salaries of £11,000 and tax and interest.

Our gross profit margins are to average 29% over the term of this plan.

Initial Costs and Management

Wonderbar Limited is a new company set up and run by Mr. Paul Duggan, Mrs. Joanne Carnagie, and Mr. Gerard Davies, who have 24 years’ combined experience in the bar business.

The assigned premises are legally purchased using a 15-year mortgage. The owners will invest £90,000 to buy the initial stock, start-up costs and to cover initial cash flow, with repayment projected during the first operational year.

Contents of this plan

1) Executive Summary 2) Business Mission 3) Ownership and Location 4) External Analysis 5) SWOT Analysis 6) Planned Objectives 7) Key Action Plans 8) Management Biographies 9) Profit & Loss Account 10) Cash flow Forecast 11) Balance Sheet

Free Bonuses Included 1) 25 Free Marketing techniques 2) Financial Planning wizard 3) Step-by-step Planning guide 4) Free Online Support 5) Comprehensive start-up guide

Benefits of this Bar Business Plan

• Full narrative specific for a bar.
• All financial statements included.
• Latest market research data.
• Marketing and sales plan.
• Financial forecasting wizards.
• 90 day Money-back guarantee.
• All UK banks endorse this plan.

Access Online

Get immediate online access to this plan and interactive planning tools to start now.

Special offer: £49.95 Only £29.95

Customer Testimonials

“I needed to put together a long-term business plan to cover all aspects of my new venture. I read a lot of books and attended courses, but I was struggling. Then I came across Teneric and suddenly it was all there in a format I could use and in terminology I could understand. After that, it was plain sailing to the Business Department at my local HSBC Bank”

Jill Shilcock, Managing Director, SEAS Education Advisory Service Limited.

“I wanted ideas for the type of information that needed covering in a business plan, and this gave me a template for the document I submitted to the bank. The business loan we were after was approved. If you have never written a business plan before, then I would recommend your product. It was very straightforward and offered some good advice.”

Gordon Mitchell, UK

“I needed a business plan quickly. The template was easy to use, just fill in the blanks on the wizard and refer to the help guide if I wasn't sure. Your system is good value, and I would recommend them to everyone needing a plan. Attached is the basic plan I threw together in a day for the bank. They specifically wanted cash flow projections, and the Excel spreadsheets were really what I was after from your product.”

John Waterhouse, UK

You're ready to take on your first pub

You’ve got a notion to run your own successful pub. Maybe you’ve already done your research. Or you’re just exploring a dream at this stage. You may have even been there, done that, and worked in hospitality before. The industry we love is tough, but so rewarding. You're ready for a great future with a new pub!

• Your First Pub
• Everyday Support
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In this article

• How does the partnership work?

Upfront costs to cover

Management Agreement

Leased & Tenanted Agreement

Working with Star Pubs

Why choose star pubs, find your perfect pub, what will the process be like, how does the partnership with star pubs work.

We’ve got two models, and we’ll work together to see which model is right for you. Once you've got the right agreement in place, we’ll make sure you’re backed with the best support and investment to help make the pub a success.  If you need a little more support, you can run a pub under our Management Agreement  which we call, Just Add Talent. Through Just Add Talent, you’ll take on a ready-made pub with a tried-and-tested food and/or drinks offer, feeling confident that you have the support of a great team with a deep understanding of the industry behind you.  Or you can take on a pub under our Leased and Tenanted (L&T)  model that allows you to fully manage your own pub business with the support of Star Pubs. 

As with any business, there are initial investments to get things off the ground. Costs typically depend on the pub, the agreement and how you intend to operate. But to give you an idea, here are our ‘rule of thumb’ costs:

Management Agreement (Just Add Talent)

The lowest entry cost is through our Management Agreement, Just Add Talent. You'll need £4,000 in unborrowed funds to get started.

Management Agreement Vacancies

To take on a pub with a Leased & Tenanted Agreement, initial operator costs vary. We discuss all costs and investments from the outset to keep everyone clear. Check out our current vacancies for a feel for the upfront costs.

L&T Vacancies

We’ll support viable plans with the commitment, investment, benefits, and expertise you’d expect working with one of the UK’s biggest beer and cider producers. With your dedicated Business Development Manager, we’ll make sure you’re on the right agreement and set up with the skills and knowledge to hit the ground running. Our partnership is built on respect and commitment to making the pub a success. And we’ll be there to discuss ways to improve your pub, alongside offering training and support over the long term.

Read more about our management team

We’re looking for long term partners with talent and the ambition to run a successful pub business – and we’re passionate about helping to create great British pubs that are independent in their look and feel. It’s about connecting the right person to the right pub. Because when that happens, the business can thrive, and the community gets a fantastic pub to visit.

Our Management Agreement 5 Star Promise

Our L&T Agreement 5 Star Promise

Whether it’s a family-friendly local or a sports bar you’re looking for, we’ve got some amazing opportunities for you. Browse our available pub vacancies or get in touch with our team if you have somewhere or something specific in mind.

Search for Management Agreement (Just Add Talent) vacancies

Search for L&T Agreement vacancies

Every case is slightly different, and we’ll work with you during the process to help you understand each process in more detail.

There’s a more in-depth application process for people taking on a pub through our Management Agreement (Just Add Talent) programme to make sure it’s right for you. But we keep things straightforward. The process is designed to make sure you’re ready and that the pub, the agreement, and Star Pubs, is right for you.

Management Agreement application process

Leased & Tenanted Agreement (L&T)

For someone thinking about taking on a pub as a Star Pubs licensee (and not through our Management Agreement (Just Add Talent programme)) it's important to recognise that our business is governed by the regulations laid out in the industry-wide Pubs Code.

Overseen by the Pubs Code Adjudicator, the Pubs Code is designed to ensures the relationship between the pub company and licensee is fair and transparent.

You can find important information on the Pubs Code here . And for useful information from the Pubs Code Adjudicator on your rights and our responsibilities, we recommend you look at the regulator’s website throughout the recruitment process.

Once you’ve reviewed the pub and agreement information, and got your own housekeeping in order, from your initial application to opening the doors to your pub, it tends to take 4-6 months.

L&T application process

As a first-time publican, you’ll probably appreciate the help available to you to run your first pub, from Business Development Managers to online portals, you’ll have a range of options to choose from at a time that’s right for you.

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How to Create a Pub Business Plan

by I.J. Karam | Dec 1, 2020 | Business Plans

Before you open a new pub, you must create a business plan. Getting funding from investors is next to impossible if your business plan is not compelling. However, that’s not the only reason why need a detailed pub business plan. Even if yours is a self-funded project, a business plan can serve as a reliable execution roadmap.

Crafting a professional pub business plan may look like a daunting task, but that’s not actually the case. Of course, you need to allot some time and conduct research to create a solid plan, but it is something that every entrepreneur can do, regardless of whether they have previously created a business plan or not. And obviously, you can count on our help, which will make things so much easier for you.

Before we get started, you might be interested to check out our  Ready-made Pub Business Plan Template  with pre-written text and automatic financials which you can easily customize and adapt to your own project, no financial expertise required .

In this post, we’ll walk you through all the key parts of a winning pub business plan , from crafting an impressive executing summary to creating a solid marketing plan.

Let’s dive right in.

How Many Sections A Professional Pub Business Plan Should Have?

While there’s no set-in-stone guideline, most experts agree that a good pub business plan mainly consists of the following sections:

Executive Summary Company Overview Customer Analysis Competitive Analysis Marketing Plan Operation Plan Management Plan Financial Plan

So what actually goes into each of these sections? Let’s find out…

Pub Business Plan Step-by-Step Breakdown

Executive Summary

Each business plan must start with a well-written executive summary. All the same, it’s best to tackle this introductory section at the end.

Why? Glad you asked.

You see, an executive summary is considered as a compelling introduction and should summarize the key ideas of the other sections. Only then you stand a real chance to convince readers that your business plan will be worth their while. Once you have penned the other sections, it becomes easier to identify the key elements of each chapter and create an engaging summary.

Here are some tips to help you write a good executive summary:

Use a strong hook : Pique readers’ interest by showing how your business is relevant

Focus on the core strengths: Maybe your pub’s ambience is your strongest selling point or perhaps your selection of liquor and your diverse menu are unique or maybe your management team is one of the most qualified. Whatever your core strengths are, don’t forget to highlight them here.

Make only those claims that you can backup with facts: Don’t make claims for which you don’t have proof or have inadequate proof. A good executive summary is a credible one.

Here’s a sample Executive Summary for a pub business plan:

Business Name – The Single’s Bar

The Single’s Bar is a unique local bar house that aims to provide a warm and friendly space where singles can meet and mingle. The Single’s Bar is unlike your typical bar in the sense that it has a one-of-its-kind service named “thee structured conversation system”. Thanks to this service, singles can easily meet other singles and get to know them through meaningful conversation.  

The bar offers a relaxed atmosphere that reduces inhibitions and inspires confidence. Research shows meeting likeminded people is not easy for singles aged between 25 and 45 years old. The Single’s Bar offers this group a great solution to the listed problem.

Conventional bars are hardly suitable for meaningful conversations since beyond the visual image of people sitting next to you, it is difficult to learn much about them and find commonalities, if any. Low lights and loud music that one finds in most bars are detrimental to having fruitful conversations.

The Single’s Bar is going to create a unique pub setting using a specific conversation structure: Singles will sit down at specific tables and talk about the highlighted topic of conversation, the aim of which is to gain insight into the other person, their perspectives and values.

Research shows the structured conversation system is highly successful as it significantly lowers uncertainty and ambiguity in the social scene. This in turn allows people to feel more comfortable which encourages them to have more meaningful conversations.

The Single’s Bar is expected to reach profitability by year three and earn substantial profits by year four.

The Single’s Bar founders, Margaret Fisher and Tony Fisher, have more than a decade’s experience in running a pub.

While there are two other bars in a mile radius, they are your traditional pubs, whereas The Single’s Bar will cater only to singles who want to meet other singles.

We need $200,000 to finance our lease costs, equipment, furniture, and renovations. Margaret and Tony Fisher will invest $50,000 in the business and the rest we plan to raise from an investor.

Company Overview

This is the section where you want to talk about your company and its finer details. To be specific, you should answer these pertinent questions here:

Who are the owners of the pub? What is your niche? What kinds of alcoholic drinks will you sell? What will be your menu? How many people will you hire to run your pub business?

Here’s a sample Company Overview

The Single’s Bars (mention your business’s location) is a unique local pub that provides a great meeting place for singles. Our bar aims to bring singles together by creating an environment allowing them to meet each other comfortably.

The Single’s Bar will sell the following:

Draft beer and in bottles:  We serve alcohol for two main reasons. First, alcohol helps reduce inhibition, which in turn makes it easier for people to meet new people and interact with them in a relaxed manner. Second, draft beer helps generate good profits. 

Cocktails and Spirits: We will also offer a wide variety of spirits including vodka, tequila, gin and other liquors. Our bartender will also prepare a panoply of cocktails to satisfy our customer’s needs and preferences.

Wines: Some customers prefer to drink wine and hence we will offer a good variety of red and white wines, perfect accompaniments for our tapas.

Coffee and Tea drinks:  A cup of well-brewed coffee or tea is often linked with a good conversation.

An assortment of Tapas:  We have added tapas in our menu because they are easy to make, taste great and customers just love them. Plus, tapas are a perfect fit for tables designed for multiple people sharing food.

Our bar’s unique value proposition is based on a conversation approach allowing singles to meet new people.  Hence, in addition to a section for general customers, our pub features another larger section specifically dedicated for singles to come and meet new people.

In the singles section, we will have 5 tables . The topic of the conversation will be marked at the center of each table. We will have different types of topics each evening, some will be related to news, sports, music, and movies, while others will be more philosophical and intellectual.

The Single’s Bar Founders, Margaret and Tony Fisher, will be involved in the bar’s day to day management and operation. They will initially hire 8 staff members to help them run the pub smoothly.

Customer Analysis

Talk about your target audience in this section. Try to be as specific as you can. Here’s a sample customer analysis:

Customer Analysis Sample: 

The Single’s Bar targets two different groups of customers: Single people and non-singles. Both of these groups are middle to upper class

The demographics of our target audiences — both singles and non-singles — are as follows:

Working Professionals: Since the underlying promise of The Single’s Bar is “meaningful conversations”, the majority of our customers are expected to be educated and working professionals who appreciate thought-provoking, meaningful conversations.

Annual income of more than $50,000: To a large extent, this is in correlation with the fact that our audience is mainly working professionals.

Age bracket is 25-45: The biggest group of singles that are looking for companionship are between 25 and 45 years old.

Competitive Analysis

In this section introduce your direct and indirect competitors. Also, talk about how your establishment stands out.

Here’s a sample competitive analysis:

The competition to The Single’s Bar comes from various sources:

Local Bars: The area where we are located has several bars. Some bars are more suited for meeting people than others, but none of them aim to bring singles together as we do.

Coffee shops: While coffee shops offer a convenient social setting where people can meet and mingle, they rarely organize any special activities with the aim to help singles meet other singles.

It is a good idea to list your main competitors in a table and cite their key strengths and weaknesses.

Our competitive advantage: Our direct competitors (local bars) and indirect ones (coffee shops) do not explicitly organize events that encourage singles to meet. Our pub has a competitive edge on this front since we have thoughtfully designed special activities that make it easier for like-minded singles to meet each other, and have meaningful conversations.

Marketing Plan

This is the section where you highlight your go to market strategy as well as show how you plan to win new customers and retain them.

Marketing & Promotion Strategy

The Single’s Bar will target people who live and work in its 10-mile radius. Our marketing and promotional strategy includes:

Direct Mail

The Single’s Bar will distribute flyers in the neighborhoods located in its vicinity. These flyers will offer not only general information about our bar’s concept but also special discounts and coupons.

Online Marketing

The Single’s Bar will come up with a sleek and user-friendly website that allows online bookings and live chat. We will also leverage the power of social media channels to spread the word about our new bar’s concept and engage with potential customers. From time to time we may run paid ad campaigns on social media to attract new customers and showcase the atmosphere in our venue.

Pre-opening Events

Before opening the pub, we are going to organize several pre-opening events that will help create buzz and attract prospective customers.

Operating Plan

In this section you should look to provide answers to these questions:

How will you run the bar? What will be the bar timings? What will be your rates? How will you source your drinks, food products and ingredients?

Preparing a detailed operating plan can help you identify issues beforehand and resolve them. For example, if you expect your bar to be jam-packed during weekends, will your staff be able to handle the high traffic on its own or will you require some additional part-time employees?

Management Plan

In this section, you need to share the names of your core team, describe their relevant work experience and past achievements. This section is usually followed by your hiring plan which can be a table summarizing the key positions you plan to hire, with their expected salaries.

Financial Plan

In the last section of your pub business plan, talk about the “finance” side of things. Specifically speaking, share information about the following:

Operating costs Direct costs Loan repayments Cash flows Expected revenues and profits Balance sheet Capital expenditures

Final Words

Now that you have seen what goes into a powerful pub business plan, it’s time to roll your sleeves and begin the business planning process. You can start by downloading our FREE business plan template to get you started. Otherwise, we also recommend you check out our Ready-Made Pub Business Plan with automatic financials . We guarantee it will save you tons of time and money.

Whatever method you choose, we wish you good luck!

Download a Ready-Made Business Plan, Choose Your Industry:

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About Roslyns & our business plans

As the market leading provider of business services to the hospitality industry, Roslyns are best place to help with the preparation of a winning business plan.

A business plan is comprised of two halves, a financial analysis/projection and a narrative description of your plans.

Roslyns can help with all aspects of both.

A plan may be required for a pub company application, to secure finance for your project, or as part of your financial planning to ensure correct budgets and strategy.

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Also known as an operator/manager agreement.

This is a business plan specifically designed for pub agreements where you earn a percentage of the pub’s turnover.

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A financial business plan suitable for all leased and tenancy agreements. This plan includes such features as a full P&L, cashflow breakdown, years 2 to 5 forecasts, wage breakdowns, sensitivity analysis and full information on wet and food margins.

Your Roslyns Business Development Manager will take you through the whole process and give you all the advice and guidance you need.

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A full financial plan plus we take your narrative ideas and put it all into a completed format with additional research, images, and formatting.

We also take your financial plan and provide it in an additional interactive format . 

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A ‘Complete plan’ with extras to include the addition of enhanced wet GP analysis, trading entity creation, first quarter business budget review and a 5% discount on first year’s Roslyns accountancy and payroll fees.

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Our business plan narrative format is FREE to download and use.

Be aware, if producing a business plan for a pub company they may want you to use their format for final submission.

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We offer a totally unique service with our interactive online plan.

In addition to your plan as a PDF, you also receive login details that take you to your online plan.

Here you can manipulate key factors to see the effect on profits or weekly breakeven.

Want to see what a 5% rise in your drinks GP will do to your breakeven? Just tweak the slider and see.

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How to create a restaurant business plan

Our experts

Written and reviewed by:.

Following a business plan is like following a tried-and-tested recipe. It allows you to understand exactly what you’ll need, and what it is you want to achieve, before you embark on your venture.

The very process of writing a business plan forces you to finetune your idea, address any weaknesses in your proposition, and foresee any possible challenges.

And if you’re not the most financially astute, it’s also an opportunity to dig down into the numbers and make sure they’re sound before committing cash to launching your restaurant.

This article will spell out everything you need to include in a restaurant business plan:

How to draw up a business plan for a restaurant: key elements, milestones for a restaurant business plan, restaurant financial plan: startup and ongoing costs, writing a business plan for a restaurant: further support.

McDonald’s  brand  mission statement is:

“To be our customers’ favorite place and way to eat and drink.”

For the purposes of this article, we’re going to use a fictional establishment – let’s call it The Goodfare Restaurant – to show you exactly how a restaurant business plan should work in practice.

You can find a more comprehensive breakdown of what to include in a generic business plan here .

* Any resemblance to a real restaurant is entirely coincidental!

Executive summary

This is a brief snapshot of the key information the reader needs to know about The Goodfare Restaurant.

• The restaurant – The Goodfare Restaurant is a 100-seat family eatery in North London, serving moderately-priced comfort food classics
• Your mission statement – The Goodfare Restaurant exists to bring hearty, reasonably-priced grub to the masses
• Objective(s) – to be the most popular moderately-priced eatery in North London
• Values – the customer is almost always right

The company

This section should go into detail about the management team, the legal structure of the business, and operations.

• Founders/management team – Founders Stelmo and Philip Blimp are brothers with a combined 25 years’ experience working in some of the UK’s most successful restaurants
• Ownership structure – The Goodfare Restaurant will be 100% owned by the Blimp brothers (unless equity is given away as part of an investment deal)
• Legal and insurance – The restaurant will abide by all UK health and safety laws, as well as food hygiene legislation etc.
• Startup costs – We estimate initial startup costs for The Goodfare Restaurant will total £150,000, self-funded by the Blimps
• Property – The 2,000 square foot property has space for 100 covers. It comes fitted with a functioning kitchen and bathrooms, but will require some minor renovation
• Location – The restaurant is located on the high street in an area of high footfall
• Opening hours – Monday to Friday – 11am to 11pm
• Responsibilities – Stelmo will be responsible for stock management and finances, while Philip will be in charge of managing staff and payroll
• Suppliers – Thanks to their years of experience in the industry, the Blimps have excellent relationships with a number of quality local suppliers

Market analysis

This section is where you prove the viability of your proposition with thorough market research.

• The industry – over the last two years, London’s restaurant industry has seen the highest level of closures in decades, as well as very high staff turnover. Chains and high end establishments have been hit particularly hard, with consumers hankering for more authentic independents like The Goodfare Restaurant
• The target market – The local population of around 260,000 people is comprised of young professionals and families, with a median annual income of £40,000
• Competitors – There are three direct competitors within a five-mile radius, including:

The Goodfare Restaurant will position itself as the number one mid-range family restaurant in North London.

We will incorporate traditional and digital marketing elements in our strategy. Primarily, we will:

• Develop relationships with local businesses by offering lunchtime deals
• Implement a loyalty scheme
• Encourage repeat visits through our email database

The below is a rough breakdown of the expected costs of starting and running The Goodfare Restaurant, and the revenue generated assuming an average table turnover rate (i.e. the number of daily sittings at each table) of 2.5.

A good rule of thumb is that you want to be turning over your tables every 45 to 90 minutes during busy periods.

Here are some other restaurant metrics you could track.

Startup costs – The Blimp brothers will provide the estimated £150,000 startup costs

Important assumptions – For the purposes of this business plan, we will assume the following:

• Average customer spend of £20
• Average 250 covers served per day
• Average meal cost of £3.50
• 10 waiting and bar staff on average salary of £18,000*
• 10 kitchen staff on average annual salary of £24,000
• Two managers and one head chef on average annual salary of £30,000
• Two cleaners on average salary of £17,000
• Sales forecast – Based on assumed daily covers and average spend, we estimate an annual revenue of £1,825,000 in the first year

Staff salary cost: £544,000

Average variable meal cost: £319,375

Annual rent: £365,000

Other running and maintenance costs: £91,250**

Total annual expenses for year one = £1,319,625

• Startup costs = £1,469,625

Estimated year one profit of: £505,375

*Salaries based on data from Glassdoor

**The average restaurant budgets 1-3% of revenue for maintenance, according to restaurantequipmentrepair.org  

This is a very basic (and perhaps generous) breakdown of the estimated revenue and running costs of a restaurant in London.

You may have to provide a more granular account of your monthly expenditure and revenue sources in order to convince investors that your financials are sound.

Milestones are clearly defined targets you hope to achieve within a given time. Not only are they a way to measure the progress of your restaurant, but they’re a good way to motivate your team towards a common goal.

You can set milestones in a table like the one below.

Think SMART. For each milestone, you should:

• Clearly define a completion target
• Set a realistic deadline
• Assign a responsible stakeholder
• Make sure it’s actually achievable!

Your monthly costs and revenue can fluctuate wildly throughout the year at the mercy of seasonality, tightening purse strings, scarcity of supplies, and fierce competition.

The only certainty is that you can break your costs down into three types:

• One-off costs – licences and permits, property deposit, equipment, fixtures and fittings
• Fixed costs – rent or mortgage, salaries
• Variable costs – food supplies, hourly wages, utilities, maintenance and repairs

It’s easy to budget for those one-off and fixed costs, but make sure your financial planning is sufficiently flexible to account for the variables, as well as any other surprises.

You don’t want to be broadsided by some act of god (fire, flood etc.) or a sudden dip in customers, and not have the cashflow to ride it out.

Gross profit margins – pricing your food

Gross margin is the difference between cost of goods sold and revenue, divided by revenue.

Expressed as a percentage, it shows how effectively your restaurant is generating revenue for each pound spent.

Most restaurants aim for a gross profit margin of 65%. So, if it costs you £3.50 to produce a meal, you should sell the dish for £10.

It might look like a decent profit percentage, but a good portion of that 65% is going to be eaten up by your other ongoing expenses.

Securing funding with a restaurant business plan

So, how can this document help you to secure funding?

Investors are looking for unique ideas with high potential to deliver significant returns. They’re also looking for a talented management team with a clear and compelling vision for their business.

A comprehensive business plan should be proof that your business meets these key criteria. If done right, your plan says: “This is why you should invest in my business over any other.”

If you’ve already written your business plan, you could be eligible to win investment from the Start Up Series – a monthly equity seed funding competition that gives early and growth stage businesses the chance to receive up to £150,000 and £250,000 respectively in SEIS or EIS funding.

Veggie hot dog startup Not Dogs secured funding in December 2016, which it used to employ 12 new team members and revamp its Birmingham restaurant.

There are countless restaurant-specific templates online that you could base your business plan on.

But there’s no perfect industry standard you have to meet.

Most importantly, your financials must be credible, your goals should be ambitious but achievable, and your plan needs to be comprehensible to someone who isn’t you.

Don’t get too obsessed with meeting targets and sticking rigidly to the original plan. Circumstances are bound to change, so you should allow yourself the freedom to alter your course and bounce back from setbacks with a new approach.

This is never more true than in the restaurant sector, where circumstances can change faster than you can say “ready, steady, cook”.

We have a whole suite of pages on every aspect of starting and running a restaurant, which you can find here:

• How to start a restaurant 
• Restaurant marketing 
• Restaurant website design 
• Restaurant management software 

Written by:

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• Business and self-employed
• Business finance and support

Write a business plan

Download free business plan templates and find help and advice on how to write your business plan.

Business plan templates

Download a free business plan template on The Prince’s Trust website.

You can also download a free cash flow forecast template or a business plan template on the Start Up Loans website to help you manage your finances.

Business plan examples

Read example business plans on the Bplans website.

How to write a business plan

Get detailed information about how to write a business plan on the Start Up Donut website.

Why you need a business plan

A business plan is a written document that describes your business. It covers objectives, strategies, sales, marketing and financial forecasts.

A business plan helps you to:

• clarify your business idea
• spot potential problems
• set out your goals
• measure your progress

You’ll need a business plan if you want to secure investment or a loan from a bank. Read about the finance options available for businesses on the Business Finance Guide website.

It can also help to convince customers, suppliers and potential employees to support you.

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Setting up a Mobile Bar Business

All you need to know about starting and running your business.

In this article

What is a Mobile Bar business?

The mobile catering industry has exploded in popularity in recent years. With a huge plethora of events and venues to cater for, it’s no surprise that more and more budding entrepreneurs are trying their hand at mobile catering. Combining the popularity of mobile catering with the UK’s love of alcoholic drinks means a mobile bar business could be a great business opportunity.

Your mobile bar business options are endless. You could opt to start a mobile cocktail bar, mixing some of the nation’s favourite cocktails, such as Mojitos, Pina Coladas, Martinis and Margaritas. Alternatively, you could opt for a mobile beer bar, offering up craft beers or kegs to your customers. Some mobile bar businesses specialise in Champagne, Prosecco or wine, whereas others focus on locally brewed or sourced alcohol. You could even choose to run a general mobile bar, serving a variety of different drinks.

A mobile bar business involves taking a bar to different indoor and outdoor venues and events and serving alcohol and other drinks. A mobile bar can be hired with or without bartenders, although you are likely to get more business if you provide bartenders.

There are several different ways you can run your mobile bar business, including:

• A mobile van.
• A bicycle with an attached cart.
• A pop-up stall that can be transported to different events.

Starting a mobile bar business does not require you to have any prior qualifications and experience. Although bartender training could be an advantage, these skills can be learnt quickly. All you need is a flair for business, the commitment to making your business succeed and a solid business plan.

Running a mobile bar business requires time and commitment. It can be a competitive industry that is difficult to break into. However, if you have a solid business plan and the commitment to make your mobile bar business succeed, you could create a lucrative and rewarding business.

Types of Customers

If you have attended any type of event in recent years, you will likely have encountered a mobile bar. The diversity of events and locations that offer mobile bars, means that there is a huge variation in the types of customers you could focus your business plan on.

Although you may not want to limit yourself by focusing on one type of customer, having a target market can help you to choose the types of events and locations you are going to run your mobile bar business from.

Some options include:

• Hiring a pitch at organised events such as festivals, fairs and music events.
• Food markets, food fairs or street festivals.
• Seasonal events, such as Oktoberfest, Christmas markets and summer fairs.
• Pop-up events.
• Private events and functions such as weddings, christenings and parties.
• Organised outdoor events.
• Sporting events, such as football matches or cricket games.
• Conferences and other business events.
• Popular outdoor locations, such as beaches and parks.

Choosing specific types of events to focus on can have a significant impact on the type of customers you are likely to attract. For example, a music event is more likely to attract young people and groups of friends, whereas a conference is likely to attract working professionals.

As well as location, the type of customer you are likely to attract, or your target market, will depend on several other key factors:

What types of drinks will you serve?

The types of drinks you serve will have a huge impact on the types of customers you attract. Consider the drinks you serve before choosing the events you will run your business from. For example, a cocktail bar is more likely to be successful at a wedding, compared to a football game.

What are your price points?

Your pricing will be based on several factors, including the cost of your ingredients, your running and overhead costs, and your location. A cocktail or Champagne bar is likely to have higher prices compared to a beer bar.

What is your brand identity?

How is your brand identifiable? What makes you stand out from other mobile bars? Your brand identity will be based on several factors, including your menu, the visual look of your business, your price point, your business name, and your logo and displays.

Equipment You Will Need

The type of equipment your mobile bar business will require varies, depending on the type of business you plan to run. To help you plan your equipment requirements and prepare for the associated costs, we have developed a list of the most common equipment needed for mobile bar businesses.

If you opt to run your mobile bar business from a vehicle, this is likely to be your biggest expense.

Prices will vary significantly, based on the type of vehicle you choose:

• A van – This is the most expensive option. They usually come with inbuilt facilities, such as a fridge and freezer. You will likely have to install specialist equipment depending on the type of mobile bar you are running. For example, wine racks or beer taps. Vans can range in price from £20,000 to £200,000.
• A trailer – This is a cheaper option and is recommended for those who don’t need to transport their business regularly. A trailer is usually larger than a van, allowing you to store more equipment and stock and hire extra staff. The average price of a trailer ranges from £5,000 to £50,000.
• A bicycle with an attached cart – This is a cheaper option, although the type of drinks you will serve and the amount of stock you store will be much more limited. A bicycle with an attached cart can be purchased for £2,000-£5,000.

If you opt to run your mobile bar business from a stand or stall, you will have different equipment requirements.

You could choose to purchase:

• An integrated stall with a built-in canvas roof – £200–£500.
• A standard stall with an additional gazebo – £400–£1,000.

A fridge and freezer

If your vehicle does not come with an inbuilt fridge and freezer, or if you opt to run your business from a stall, you will likely have to buy this equipment separately. You can opt for specific beverage fridges, for example a wine fridge, a drinks dispenser, a portable fridge/freezer, or you can pay separately to have this equipment installed or inbuilt to your vehicle. Some mobile bar businesses may not require a freezer. Others may choose to purchase an ice freezer or dispenser.

Drinks making facilities and equipment

There is a huge variety of equipment you could purchase for your mobile bar business. This includes a blender, cocktail shakers, muddlers, jugs, corkscrews, bottle openers, chopping boards, knives, a strainer and trays.

Electrical equipment

When purchasing electrical equipment, you must ensure it is installed correctly and would pass a safety examination. Some of the electrical equipment you may need includes power cables, lighting, a generator, a cash register and a card payment machine. For more information on electrical safety at work, consult our knowledge base .

Serving and takeaway equipment

You will need to provide something to serve your drinks inso will need to invest in a variety of different cups and glasses, depending on the drinks you serve, for example Champagne flutes, cocktail glasses and pint glasses. Try to provide reusable glasses or recyclable plastic drink holders. You may also want to provide paper straws, cardboard drink holders and napkins.

Display items, boards and pricing

You may need display equipment for your drinks. Your options include wine racks, shelving and display cabinets. Eye-catching display boards can help you to attract customers. It should also be easy for customers to see your menu and pricing. Ensure your display boards match your business brand.

A gazebo, tables and chairs

Not all mobile bar businesses opt to purchase these, but it can help to attract customers who want to sit down while they drink. A gazebo retails for £400+. The cost of tables and chairs can vary depending on the size and quality.

Stock prices can vary significantly depending on the types of beverages you sell. It is recommended that your stock price is no more than 30% of your selling price. When purchasing bottles, such as spirits and wine, consider how many sales you can make per bottle. For example, 1 bottle of wine = 5 glasses. If you charge £5 per glass, one bottle = £25 worth of sales. This means you should pay no more than £7.50 per bottle, in order to maximise your profits.

Typical Costs

A mobile bar business usually requires a much lower investment than a traditional bar business. However, it is still important to be aware of your start-up and running costs, so you can estimate your initial investment amount and your potential profits. Some typical pricing associated with your mobile bar business could include:

Equipment costs

As examined above, your equipment costs can vary significantly depending on the type of mobile bar business you set up. To help reduce the cost of your equipment, you could consider buying some of the larger equipment second-hand. However, keep in mind that your business may have to undergo gas and electricity testing. You could also start your business by renting your equipment, only purchasing it once you are sure it is likely to be successful. This helps to reduce the risk to your finances.

Pitching fees

Some events are much more expensive to pitch at than others, with prices ranging from £20 to £2,000 per day. However, events that have higher pitching fees may result in higher profits. For example, the pitching fees at a music festival are likely to be much higher, however, you are likely to have more business and turn an overall higher profit. Keep this in mind when calculating your pitching fees.

Licensing costs

There are several types of licences you require, and each has different associated costs. You will be required to first obtain a BIIAB Level 2 Award or CIEH Level 2 Award. The cost of this ranges from £150 to £200. You will also need a Personal Licence at a cost of £37 and a Temporary Events Notice at an average cost of £21 per event.

A mobile bar business will have several insurance requirements, including Employer’s Liability Insurance, Public Liability Cover and Equipment Insurance. If you run your business from a van or trailer, you will also require Vehicle Insurance. Insurance prices can range from £100 to £500 depending on your insurance provider and your coverage level.

Street trading licence

Depending on where you plan to trade, you may require a street trading licence. The cost of a street trading licence can vary, depending on your local council. You can expect to pay approximately £75 to apply for your licence and may then have to pay weekly or monthly fees to trade.

Running costs

Running costs are the costs associated with running your business. You may be expected to pay these costs monthly or yearly. Your running costs could include your overhead costs such as electricity, gas and petrol. You should aim to have low running costs to help maximise your profits.

When considering the pricing of your menu, there are several factors that will influence your price points, including:

• The type of drinks you sell.
• The cost of your ingredients.
• Your overhead costs.
• The location or event you are catering for.
• Your target market.

If you cater at public or organised events, you will likely charge per item ordered, for example £5 per craft beer. However, catering at private events, such as parties and weddings, requires a different pricing strategy. The organiser of the event will pay you a per-day cost or, alternatively, you will be paid to supply a certain amount of beverages, for example 100 bottles of wine or 200 cocktails. In this situation, you must calculate your fees carefully, to take into account the amount of stock you will use, your overhead costs and the wages of you and your employees.

Safely Running a Mobile Bar

There are several safety requirements you should adhere to when running your mobile bar business. Safety procedures help to ensure the safety of you, your employees and your customers.

There are several safety protocols it is recommended your business follows at all times:

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)

Having an HACCP plan is a legal requirement for all food and drink businesses in the UK. HACCP helps you to manage safety hazards and identify potential risks and implement measures to ensure these risks are reduced or removed. Keeping records of the actions you take in line with HACCP is recommended.

Risk assessments

Risk assessments are an effective way of managing, reducing and removing risk. A risk assessment can be used as clear evidence of your safety procedures and risk management. An additional risk assessment is now needed for risks relating to Covid-19. Some events will require you to provide your risk assessments before they accept your mobile bar business at their event. For more information on risk assessments, consult our knowledge base .

Drinking policies

Implementing consistent drinking policies that all employees are aware of can help ensure the safety of your staff and customers. Your policies could include regulations on serving drinks to people who are considered to be inebriated and checking photo ID. Ensure your business’s drinking policies are in line with government legislation.

Safe storage of stock

Even though you will mainly be dealing with beverages, it is still imperative that you store your stock safely. Alcohol should be stored in a way that it cannot be accessed by customers. If you serve garnishes, such as fruits, ensure this is stored in airtight containers and is kept at the correct temperature.

Mobile bar businesses can be exposed to violent or disorderly behaviour. Ensuring the safety and security of your staff and equipment is paramount. Keeping staff and customers separate is recommended. Preventing customers from being able to touch staff and equipment is also advisable. Ensure you are aware of the security measures that are in place at any events you attend and how to contact security staff.

Cleaning requirements

You will likely have a variety of equipment that you use in your mobile bar business. All surfaces, equipment and utensils should be kept clean at all times. It is best to implement a cleaning schedule to ensure cleaning is done regularly. Make sure you are using the correct cleaning products for each piece of equipment.

Record keeping

You should keep up-to-date records of your business’s cleaning schedule, any risk assessments and any health and safety policies that are followed.

Legal Requirements

There are a number of legal requirements you must ensure your business adheres to at all times. Failure to follow legal requirements could result in a fine, the closure of your business or even a prison sentence.

Register your business

You need to register your business before you begin trading. Register your business at least 28 days before you begin trading. You may also need to register your business with your local council.

Apply for the relevant licences

You will need to obtain a BIIAB Level 2 Award or CIEH Level 2 Award. This licence teaches you about your responsibilities regarding alcohol sales, specific prohibitions, the strength of alcoholic drinks and protecting children from harm. Without this licence, you cannot apply for your Personal Licence. For more information, visit BIIAB’s website . You also need to obtain a Personal Licence and a Temporary Events Notice and to send a copy of your licences to your local authority. You may also be required to send copies to your local police department and the Environmental Health Officer (EHO).

Obtain a Basic DBS check certificate

Without this certificate, you will not be able to apply for a Personal Licence to sell alcohol. You can request your DBS check on gov.uk.

Obtain insurance

There are several types of insurance you will be legally required to obtain. If you hire any employees, the law states you must obtain Employer’s Liability Insurance. You will also be legally required to purchase Vehicle Insurance if you use a van or trailer for your business. Other types of insurance are not legally required but are recommended to help protect you, your employees and your business.

Register as self-employed with HMRC

Running your mobile bar business as an individual or as a self-employed person requires you to register as a sole trader. You will have to think of a name for your business and keep records of all your income, profits and expenses.

Obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (if applicable)

Any gas equipment used as part of your business must be inspected every year by a gas safe engineer. If your equipment is deemed safe to use and complies with government requirements, you will be issued a Gas Safety Certificate.

Challenge underage drinking

It is against the law to serve alcohol to those under 18 years old in the UK. Because of this, you, and any employees, request to see ID for any individuals you believe are underage. It could be beneficial to adopt the Challenge 25 policy, whereby ID is required for all individuals who look younger than 25. This helps to prevent your business from mistakenly serving alcohol to an underage person. For more information about retail guidance for serving alcohol in the different countries of the UK, consult the Retail of Alcohol Standards Group (RASG).

Positives of Owning a Mobile Bar Business

There are many great benefits to starting a mobile bar business.

High markup on products

Quite often, the ingredients you purchase when running a mobile bar business are significantly cheaper than your selling price. If you make cocktails, brew your own beer, or buy your products in bulk, you will be able to sell your products at a high markup price.

You can choose your products and create a menu, travel around attending different events, work directly with the public, and build relationships with other vendors. Running a mobile bar business can be a fun and rewarding job.

High demand

The UK is famed for its love of alcoholic drinks. With thousands of events running across the country every year, mobile bars are in high demand, meaning you will not be short of work and can choose which events you cater for.

Ability to cater for various events

You could choose to cater for private events, business events or organised events. You can choose to cater for a variety of events, to keep your work interesting, or focus on specific types of events.

Flexibility

You can choose how little or often you work, fitting your business around your lifestyle and control your hours. Some people even choose to only operate seasonally or at specific annually run events.

It’s a vocation

If you love bartending or being your own boss, this could be the perfect business opportunity for you. Working in the catering industry can be a vocation, in that you can enjoy your work and be eager to put in the time and effort your business will require.

Customer and event loyalty

If you frequent the same places often, you are likely to receive repeat business. Private event customers may also recommend your mobile bar business to friends or colleagues in the area. If you cater for events, you may be invited back or recommended to others, increasing your business.

Negatives of Owning a Mobile Bar Business

However, there are some important downsides to owning a mobile bar business that you should first consider.

High stress and risk of violence

You will likely be dealing with drunk people and may be exposed to violence which could be potentially dangerous to you, your employees and your equipment. Some events may not provide adequate security, or the security may be difficult to access. This can make dealing with violence or disorderly behaviour even more stressful.

Can require a lot of cash flow

Although start-up costs will not be as high as traditional bar establishments, you will still need to purchase equipment and stock. You also need to consider pitching fees, which can be as high as £2,000 per day, depending on the type of event you attend.

Competitive

The mobile bar industry can be difficult to break into. Private events often hire mobile bar businesses based on recommendations and reviews. Organised events usually desire diversity in the types of businesses they hire. For example, if you run a craft beer bar but this type of business is already hired for the event, you may be denied a pitch.

Business can be up and down – may be busy in the summer and quiet in the winter

Catering businesses tend to be much more popular in the summer. Your business could be up and down based on several factors that are out of your control such as the weather, the season and your competition. This can make it much more difficult to predict the success of your business and your potential profits.

Time-consuming

Even though you may have limited sales time, a lot of time will be required for sourcing and ordering stock, bookkeeping and perfecting your beverages.

Limit to the amount of stock you can store

A catering van has an extremely limited amount of space available. This means you may be limited in the number of employees you can hire and the amount of equipment and stock you can store in your van. This could mean you run out of stock and have to cease operations part way through an event.

It can be time-consuming and expensive to obtain the correct licences. Regulations regarding selling alcohol are strict in the UK. If you are found to breach any regulations, you will likely have your licence revoked.

Planning Your Mobile Bar Business

The first step when starting a mobile bar business is to create a solid business plan.

However, before creating your business plan, it is important you finalise your business idea by resolving the following considerations:

• What drinks are you going to serve?
• What will your price points be?
• What types of locations and events are you going to cater for?
• Who is your target market?
• What will your brand identity be?
• Will you run your business from a vehicle, a stall or a gazebo?
• Do you have any competition selling similar products to your business that is likely to target the same events as you?
• How often are you going to operate your business?

Once you have finalised these details, you can begin to create your business plan. A business plan will help you to:

• Develop the procedures and actions you need to set up and run your mobile bar business.
• Plan your business milestones.
• Assess the feasibility of your business.
• Better understand your menu and your customers.
• Determine your financial requirements.
• Calculate your start-up costs and running costs.
• Estimate potential profits.
• Reduce risk.
• Encourage the success of your business.

As part of your business plan, you will need to plan your equipment requirements. This can help you to calculate your start-up costs and determine whether you can fund this yourself or if you need to apply for finance or external investment.

Once you have finalised your business plan, ensure you prepare all your paperwork and follow all legal requirements. It is recommended that you prepare your paperwork ahead of time to avoid any delays when setting up your business. Consult our list of legal requirements above.

Download our business plan

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Money blog: Gary Neville's hotel named among best places for hospitality jobs

A magazine has released its annual list detailing the top picks for hospitality jobs. Read about this and all the latest consumer and personal finance news in the Money blog - and leave a comment or your money problem in the box below.

Friday 17 May 2024 19:16, UK

• 'Good news' as major drop in household energy bills predicted
• 'Seismic shift' as number of bank branch closures passes 6,000
• The 'top places to work' in hospitality - including Gary Neville's hotel
• New Greggs stores to open in these locations
• Drivers hit by 'unfairly high margins' on fuel

Essential reads

• Lowest buy-to-let mortgage rates revealed
• Is more expensive steak better for you?
• The rise of Michelin starred 'fast food'
• Basically...  What is PIP - and what could government changes mean?
• How to make sure your car passes its MOT
• Cheap Eats:  Michelin-star chef reveals his top steals in London - including an unbeatable sub sandwich
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• Best of the Money blog - an archive

Ask a question or make a comment

The Body Shop’s administrators are to launch an auction of the chain after concluding that an alternative restructuring of one of Britain’s best-known high street retailers was not viable.

Sky News has learnt that FRP Advisory, which has been overseeing the collapsed business since January, is to begin formally sounding out potential buyers in the coming weeks.

The move raises the prospect of new owners taking control of The Body Shop, which was founded nearly half a century ago.

Read more here ...

The UK's mega rich are dwindling - in a sign Britain's "billionaire boom has come to an end", according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List.

Published today, the list reveals the largest fall in billionaires in the guide's history - from a peak of 177 in 2022 to 165 this year.

While the combined wealth of the list's 350 wealthiest individuals amounts to more than £795bn - larger than the GDP of Poland - the guide's compiler says time will tell what impact a drop in billionaires could have.

"This year's Sunday Times Rich List suggests Britain's billionaire boom has come to an end," Robert Watts said.

"Many of our home-grown entrepreneurs have seen their fortunes fall and some of the global super rich who came here are moving away."

Top of the list is British-Indian businessman Gopi Hinduja and his family, whose wealth of £37.2bn is the largest fortune in the ranking's history.

But other familiar names in the list saw their riches fall, with Sir Richard Branson's total dropping by £2.4bn, which is back to his 2000 level.

Last year's top climber Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who bought a stake in Manchester United this year, fell two positions with a decline of £6.1bn.

Euan Blair, Tony Blair's eldest son, made the list for the first time, as did Sir Lewis Hamilton.

It comes as the UK continues to deal with a cost-of-living crisis, with new figures this week revealing a record 3.1 million food bank parcels were distributed over the course of a year.

The top 10:

• Gopi Hinduja - £37.2bn
• Sir Leonard Blavtanik - £29.2bn
• David and Simon Reuben and family - £24.9bn
• Sir Jim Ratcliffe - £23.5bn
• Sir James Dyson and family - £20.8bn
• Barnaby and Merlin Swire and family - £17.2bn
• Idan Ofer - £14.9bn
• Lakshmi Mittal and family - £14.9bn
• Guy, George, Alannah and Galen Weston and family - £14.4bn
• John Fredriksen and family - £12.8bn

A group of social media influencers have been charged in relation to promoting an unauthorised investment scheme.

The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE) original cast member Lauren Goodger, 37, former Love Island star Biggs Chris, 32, and Celebrity Big Brother winner Scott Timlin, 36, also known as Scotty T, are among seven TV personalities alleged to have been paid to promote the scheme to their combined 4.5 million Instagram followers.

The others charged by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) include former Love Islanders Rebecca Gormley, 26, Jamie Clayton, 32, and Eva Zapico, 25 and TOWIE member Yazmin Oukhellou, 30.

The UK's financial watchdog brought the charges in a crackdown on "finfluencers" who use their online platforms to offer advice and information on various financial topics.

It alleges that between 19 May 2018 and 13 April 2021 Emmanuel Nwanze, 30, and Holly Thompson, 33, used an Instagram account to provide advice on buying and selling investments known as contracts for difference (CFDs) when they were not authorised to do so.

The watchdog said CFDs were high-risk investments used to bet on the price of an asset, in this case the price of foreign currencies.

It previously warned that 80% of customers lost money when investing in CDFs.

Mr Nwanze has been charged with running the scheme. He faces one count of breaching the general prohibition of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, and one count of unauthorised communications of financial promotions.

Ms Thompson, Mr Chris, Mr Clayton, Ms Goodger, Ms Gormley, Ms Oukhellou, Mr Timlin and Ms Zapico each face one count of unauthorised communications of financial promotions.

All nine will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 13 June.

The FCA asked anyone who believed they had sustained a loss due to the scheme to contact its consumer contact centre.

A hotel part-owned by Gary Neville and other ex-Manchester United legends has been named one of the best places to work in hospitality. 

Each year, The Caterer releases its top 30 best places for employees in the sector, with the top six featuring some familiar names.

The list is compiled via anonymous employee survey - with no input from managers or owners. 

Hotel Football, the only hotel with a rooftop five-a-side pitch, was among the top six venues selected by employees across the UK. 

The hotel's benefits package was particularly well-praised by those who work there - given that it "prioritises the financial wellbeing of employees during the cost of living challenge".

Management at the hotel, which is situated next to Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium, was also praised for enhanced maternity, paternity, parental and adoption leave policies and a strong belief in diversity and inclusion. 

The other five to make up the top six are The Biltmore in Mayfair, Cycas Hospitality (which has 18 locations across the UK), Dalata (which boasts some 1,000 employees), Gleneagles Hotel in Edinburgh and Nobu Hotel in Shoreditch, London. 

The energy price cap is set to fall by about 7% in July, a leading thinktank has said. 

Cornwall Insights said: "For a typical dual fuel household, we predict the July price cap to be £1,574 per annum" - a drop from £1,690.

Looking further ahead, it forecasted the cap to rise again slightly in October, before falling again in January next year. 

Reacting to the news, Uswitch said the predicted drop was "clearly good news". 

"The future still remains uncertain, and with the price cap changing every three months – currently expected to rise in October before falling slightly in January –  it's crucial not to be complacent," Richard Neudegg, director of regulation, said. 

However, "a predicted 7% drop in energy prices in July is clearly good news, with the price cap looking likely to hit its lowest level in over two years", he said. 

He also urged  households who want to lock in rates for price certainty to run a comparison to see what energy tariffs are available to them.

"There are many 12-month fixed tariffs available at rates cheaper than the current price cap, and even some that are 2% below these new predicted July rates," he said. 

Cristiano Ronaldo has topped Forbes' list of highest-paid athletes for the fourth time in his career.

Ronaldo became the world's highest-paid athlete after his move to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr and Forbes said the 39-year-old's estimated total earnings were around $260m (£205m) - an all-time high for a football player.

His on-field earnings amounted to $200m (£158m) while off-field he earned $60m (£47m) thanks to sponsorship deals where brands make use of his 629 million Instagram followers.

Spanish golfer Jon Rahm took second place following his switch to Saudi-backed LIV Golf.

Rahm earned $218m (£172m) and joins Ronaldo as the only two athletes to earn over $200m.

Third on the list is record eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, who switched to Major League Soccer team Inter Miami, which helped the Argentine World Cup winner earn $135m (£107m).

The 36-year-old earned $65m (£51m) in on-field earnings but $70m (£55m) off it from deals with major sponsors such as Adidas and Apple.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James came in fourth at $128m (£101m), while fellow NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks made fifth with $111m (£88m).

France football captain Kylian Mbappe dropped down to sixth with $110m (£87m).

French striker Karim Benzema, who also moved to Saudi Arabia, is eighth on the list with $106m (£84m), followed by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry with $102m (£80m).

Lamar Jackson is the only NFL player on the list, in 10th place with $101m (£80m), thanks to the signing bonus negotiated into his new Baltimore Ravens contract last year.

The number of new pupils joining private schools has fallen by  2.7% since last year, according to the latest figures.

Data from the Independent Schools Council (ISC) shows families are now paying more than £18,000 a year on average to send their children to private school.

This is an 8% rise in school fees for the 2023-2024 academic year compared with the year before.

But as fees soar, figures show a 2.7% drop in the number of new pupil applications - this is the biggest fall since the ISC started collecting data in 2011.

Every Friday we get an overview of the mortgage market with independent experts from  Moneyfactscompare.co.uk . Today, finance expert Rachel Springall outlines what's been happening within the buy-to-let market…

A handful of lenders moved to tweak the fixed rates they charge on buy-to-let mortgages over the past week. 

Paragon Bank launched some new "portfolio" and "green" fixed mortgages, and Aldermore pulled its limited edition five-year fixed rates, max 65% loan-to-value. 

Buckinghamshire Building Society also launched new deals onto the market, and Claire Askham, head of mortgage sales said: "The decision to increase our BTL lending to 80% represents a positive move for the sector as we continue to see landlords appraising their portfolios through divesting, refinancing and taking advantage of a variety of property-related opportunities as they arise."

Week on week, there has been minor moves to the overall average fixed buy-to-let rates, with the two-year remaining unchanged at 5.62% and the five-year falling by 0.02% to 5.59%.

This week the lowest two-year fix for buy-to-let customers at 75% loan-to-value comes from Metro Bank, priced at 4.19%, which charges a percentage booking fee of 5.00% of the mortgage advance and is available to second-time buyers and remortgage customers borrowing a maximum of £2m. 

There is another option from the same lender which carries an incentive package just for remortgage customers, but it has a lower maximum advance of £1.5m.

If you are looking to borrow more, then Suffolk Building Society has the lowest two-year fix for buy-to-let customers at 80% loan-to-value priced at 4.79% for second-time buyers and remortgage customers. 

The deal charges a percentage completion fee of 3.00% of the mortgage advance as well as a flat £199 booking fee.

Remortgage customers will receive a free valuation and free legal fees incentive.

A five-year fixed buy-to-let mortgage may be more appealing for you to guarantee your monthly repayments for longer. 

If you looking to borrow at 75% loan-to-value, HSBC has a deal for remortgage customers priced at 4.33%, which carries a free valuation and free legal fees incentive package but charges a flat £3,999 product fee.

If you are looking to borrow more, then Furness Building Society has the lowest five-year fixed buy-to-let deal at 80% loan-to-value priced at 5.39% for second-time buyers and remortgage customers. It charges a booking fee of £995 and includes an £250 cashback incentive. 

Remortgage customers will also receive a free valuation. This deal also happens to be a Best Buy for a five-year fixed deal at 80% loan-to-value.

Best Buy alternatives

The lowest buy-to-let rates may carry both a flat product fee and an arrangement fee which is based on a percentage of the mortgage advance, so a Best Buy package may be more suitable if you are looking to save on the upfront cost of any deal. 

You might also want a deal to cover a valuation or legal fees. A Best Buy buy-to-let mortgage could be the most cost-effective choice in this instance, but it's worth seeking advice before entering any arrangement.

This week the top packages on a two-year fixed buy-to-let deal at 75% loan-to-value comes from HSBC, priced at 4.69%, which comes with a free valuation and charges a £3,999 product fee and is available to second-time buyers. 

If you want a loan with a lower upfront fee, then HSBC also has a Best Buy deal priced at 4.94% at 75% loan-to-value, which carries a free valuation and charges a £1,999 product fee and is available to second-time buyers.

If you are looking to borrow more, then Furness Building Society has a Best Buy two-year fixed buy-to-let deal priced at 5.73% at 80% loan-to-value for second-time buyers and remortgage customers. It charges a fee of £995 and includes a £250 cashback incentive. Remortgage customers will also receive a free valuation.

A five-year fixed buy-to-let mortgage may be more appealing for you to guarantee your monthly repayments for longer. If you looking to borrow at 75% loan-to-value, HSBC has a Best Buy deal priced at 4.39%, which carries a free valuation and charges a £3,999 product fee. 

If you want a loan with a lower upfront fee, then HSBC also has a Best Buy deal priced at 4.64% at 75% loan-to-value, which carries a free valuation and charges a £1,999 product fee.

If you are looking to borrow more, then Furness Building Society has a Best Buy five-year fixed buy-to-let deal priced at 5.39% at 80% loan-to-value for second-time buyers and remortgage customers. 

It charges a booking fee of £995 and includes an £250 cashback incentive. Remortgage customers will also receive a free valuation. This deal also happens to be the lowest rate on a five-year fixed deal at 80% loan-to-value.

By James Sillars , business reporter

A lack of strong corporate updates did for the FTSE 100 on Thursday.

A flat end to the day has been followed by a flat end to the week, with the index falling almost 0.1% to 8,433 in early deals on Friday.

Very little around for investors to ponder.

Developments this morning included pharmaceutical firm GSK saying it had raised £1.25bn from selling its entire remaining stake in Haleon.

The consumer healthcare firm was spun out of GSK almost two years ago.

One other announcement of note came from Sainsbury's.

It revealed a five-year strategic partnership with Microsoft that will see generative AI used to boost personalised shopping experiences for consumers, improve search functions and make staff working practices more efficient.

The financial terms were not disclosed. Its shares were 0.4% higher.

Away from the equity markets, it's worth taking a quick look at how oil is finishing the week.

Brent crude is trading above $83 a barrel on evidence of rising demand.

Prices at these levels should not have an impact at the fuel pumps but small recent declines in average costs could be reversed if the upwards oil price trend continues.

Greggs will open eight stores in the next few weeks, as the company continues its expansion plans 

The bakery said it would open a total of 180 new branches before the end of this year. 

We were told earlier this year that the famous sausage roll-seller would open new stores in London, Cambridge and Sale, but Greggs has now revealed where its next eight new branches will be. 

Here are the locations of the eight new sights, revealed by the bakery to The Sun:

• Saffron Walden, Market Place, England
• Bangor, Carnarfon Road, Wales
• Birmingham Prime Park, England
• Brierley Hill, Merryhill, England
• Consett Delves Lane Drive Thru, County Durham, England
• Edinburgh, 60-61 Seafield Road, Scotland
• Glasgow, Argyle St, Scotland
• Porth, U3C Geilligron IE, Wales

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The Spirits Business

Tanqueray paradiso launches in uk.

Diageo has released a limited edition 30% ABV Tanqueray expression for the summer in the UK, flavoured with a hint of lemongrass and Brazilian guava.

The limited release from the Diageo-owned gin brand aims to capture the tropical flavours that people encounter on exotic getaways, in turn bringing some of that holiday spirit to the UK.

Charlotte Gibbon, category marketing director – gin, Diageo GB, said: “As the UK’s leading premium gin brand, Tanqueray is renowned for its exceptional quality and innovation, and we are delighted to be launching the brand-new, limited-edition Tanqueray Paradiso for the first time in Great Britain.

“With the taste of guava and lemongrass infused in every bottle, Tanqueray Paradiso is the perfect spirit drink for those looking to elevate their summer serves at home, whether as part of a mixed drink or a delicious cocktail.”

To make the spirit drink, Brazilian guava and lemongrass were combined with the brand’s classic London Dry Gin – giving it pale rosé colour, tropical fruity flavours and a citrus finish.

It is recommended in classic summer cocktails such as a Spritz, made by adding 50ml Tanqueray Paradiso, 10ml lemon juice and 5ml sugar syrup in a wine glass. Then by filling the glass with cubed ice and pouring over 90ml Prosecco and 40ml soda water, garnished with a long lemon twist.

The bottle’s mosaic design label is inspired by the tiles of the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Bottled at 30% ABV, Tanqueray Paradiso will be available for a limited time only in the UK, now at Morrisons and Sainsbury’s, from 28 May at Tesco, Amazon and The Bar, and from Asda in July, for £20 (US$25).

Tanqueray is one of the world’s best-selling gin brands and it recently launched a campaign in Ireland to highlight its mixability in cocktails, partnering with actors Stanley Tucci and Amy Huberman.

In February, Diageo also launched a premium ready-to-drink (RTD) bottled cocktail version of Tanqueray in the UK – a 17.5% ABV Negroni .

The brand’s range also includes two alcohol-free expressions, Tanqueray 0.0% and Flor de Sevilla 0.0% .

Tanqueray’s sales took a 10% tumble in the first half of fiscal 2024. Diageo’s sales in general dropped by 0.6% in the period , which the company primarily attributed to the ‘volatile’ nature of the Latin America and the Caribbean markets.

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California Bar Pauses $1.5 Million Kaplan Exam Contract Plan

By Maia Spoto

The California State Bar delayed pitching a new licensing exam to its governing body on Thursday, saying the plan, which could slash the admissions fund’s deficit, needs more time to take shape.

The state bar had pitched a $1.475 million, five-year contract with Kaplan North America LLC to replace the Multistate Bar Exam with a different, “cost-effective” exam. Crafting new questions would enable the bar to administer the licensing test remotely or at small, vendor-owned test centers, saving between roughly $2.8 million and $4.2 million annually starting in 2025.

“Given the import of the issues, I really think it is ...

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Millions of British children born since 2010 have only known poverty. My £3bn plan would give them hope

We know about the hardship of ‘Thatcher’s children’, but a new generation of Tories has raised inequality to even higher levels

• Children of austerity need a rescue plan, says Gordon Brown

T hey are austerity’s children, born after 2010, perhaps now at secondary school – and they account for 3.4 million of Britain’s 4.3 million children in poverty. Most have never known what it is like to be free of poverty. And yet in almost every single year of the past decade, even as their need has been mounting, the government’s support for children has been spiralling downwards, each year more difficult than the year before as, with almost surgical precision, the government has made the already poor even poorer and propelled the number of poor children up by 100,000 a year.

For the past 40 years we have talked of Thatcher’s children – the generation of children brought up in the 1980s at a time of mass unemployment and social security cuts, which I witnessed at first hand as an MP in a mining constituency. Study after study has charted her government’s impact in educational underachievement, broken families and the crushed aspirations of millions of young people unable to find decent work.

The past 14 years have seen even more dramatic events – Brexit, Covid-19 and the energy crisis arising from the Russia-Ukraine war to name only three – but, damaging as these individual events have been to people’s lives, the one constant throughout has been austerity. The newest generation of children, whose families have never known what economic security means, are the biggest losers.

From June 2010 we saw the start of regular freezes in child benefit – it is now worth 20% less than it was then – the end of educational maintenance allowances to help teenagers stay on at school or college at the start of 2011, and the abandonment of the child trust fund , so that, unlike the pre-2010 generation, no child under 14 can draw on such help when turning 18.

April 2013 saw the first blanket cuts in means-tested benefits, when the inflation link was breached – with tax credits for working-age people uprated by only 1%. In the same month the overall cap on housing and universal credit payments, which took no account of need, was introduced. And, in 2016, we entered the age of deep austerity with a four-year freeze in working-age benefits, the removal of the “family premium” element of tax credits and, from 2017, the limitation of children’s benefits to two children per family.

Donald Hirsch’s recent paper on the inadequacy of benefits shows the cumulative impact. The majority (56%) of universal credit recipients have lost out, hit either by the two-child limit – 750,000 families will be affected by 2028 – or by the housing benefit limit, which means their rent is not covered by their benefits. Freezing rent support has helped push 145,800 children into temporary accommodation. Now almost half of children in families with three or more children are in poverty ; and this is before the monthly deductions for the loans families had to take out to cover their first five weeks of universal credit, when no benefit was paid. Now half of families with children lose up to 25% of their benefit each month and in some cases 30%, making the Department for Work and Pensions the biggest debt collector in the country.

All Covid-19 and energy price support, worth at its peak £6bn a year, has now been eliminated, with less than £0.5bn offered this year through the household support fund, which is due to end in September. Now, with half of all poor children living in a household that contains a child under five, the children of the 2020s austerity are turning out to be poorer than even the 2010 generation.

Commentators now write about Britain’s endemic problem of underinvestment, highlighting the state of our railways, roads, utilities and physical infrastructure; but there has been less focus on the decade-long experiment – the greatest and most damaging underinvestment of all inflicted on austerity’s children, who will, soon enough, come of age. The damage to them runs deep.

Children raised under UK austerity are now smaller in height at age five than their European counterparts, with tooth extractions among five - to nine-year-olds in poorer communities three and a half times more frequent than in the most affluent communities. Dental decay has become their most common reason for hospital admission.

We know that the first 48 months are more consequential for a child’s development than the next 48 years. Two million children across England benefited from Sure Start, which was designed to prevent children who are born poor from being condemned to equally bad life chances. In the 2000s, a poor child on free school meals living near a Sure Start centre, who would otherwise have been expected to be awarded only DDD in their GCSEs, would be more likely to get three Cs . “Results imply,” the Institute for Fiscal Studies concluded , “that, even without accounting for the full range of potential effects, the benefits to society from the improvements in education outcomes … equate to more than the costs of the programme at its peak in 2010.” But the 74% cut in council spending on Sure Start, which closed 1,200 centres, began as early as 2011 and coincided with ministers cutting overall spending on education, which, since 2010, has suffered “historically large real-term cuts in spending per pupil” according to the IFS. They disable children’s chances and then blame them for struggling to their feet.

Everyone understands that the parlous fiscal position makes it difficult to restore vital services overnight, but there are options that reflect the urgency of the need for action. In a paper published today , Partnership to End Poverty, I call on Jeremy Hunt, in his next financial statement due in September, to raise £2bn to address poverty by requiring the banks to deposit a fraction of their money interest-free at the Bank of England. He could reduce both poverty and the universal credit bill by upskilling 1 million low-paid workers into higher paid jobs. Hunt could also champion a new coalition of compassion between foundations, corporate donors and local and national government to broaden the scope of local amenities – anything from the school breakfast clubs pioneered by the Magic Breakfast initiative to youth zones , 14 of which are now flourishing around the country. And of course he could restore Sure Start.

One innovative way to finance this within the current fiscal rules is by learning from the worldwide success of social impact bonds whose funding is frontloaded by foundations and corporate investors. The bonds were first piloted among young people in Peterborough , and the government pays on the basis of results. This September the government could announce a £1bn children’s social impact bond to expand children’s services and help us ensure that this blighted generation, the children of austerity, escape a future without hope.

Gordon Brown was UK prime minister from 2007 to 2010

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• Children's health
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