Publican

Also known as:

Licensee

Introduction

Publicans run pubs or licensed premises such as bars in clubs. They do things such as ordering supplies and plan entertainment, as well as working behind the bar. They have to ensure that the bar is run profitably. Hours of work may be long.

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Work Activities

Going to the pub is one of the most traditional leisure activities in the country. It's the job of publicans to make sure that customers in the pub have a good time and the business makes a good profit.

There are three kinds of publican: managers, tenants, and free-house owners. Pub managers run a pub as employees of a brewery or leisure company. They get a salary and have a contract of employment like any other employee. A tenant pays rent to the company that owns the pub and runs it as a self-employed person. Free-house owners are independent, self-employed business people who own the pubs that they run.

There are also different kinds of pub, including wine bars; inns; cafe bars; theme bars; super-pubs; and, of course, traditional pubs. In some the focus is on creating a family atmosphere. In others there is live entertainment. Some have games rooms with things like dartboards, pool tables and (sometimes) skittle alleys. Many pubs serve food ranging from snacks at lunchtime to high quality, restaurant standard meals.

Whatever kind of publican you want to be and whatever kind of pub you want to run there are common elements to the kind of work you will have to do.

One of the biggest parts of the publican's job is to manage the staff. There are bar staff and cleaners, and there may be catering staff. Many could be part-time so the work has to be organised so that there are the right number of people on duty at any one time. Publicans train, organise and motivate staff. They also do stock control, re-ordering supplies of food and drink before they run out. They supervise beer deliveries, do the pub's banking, and think about (and sort out) activities, entertainment and special offers that will bring in more customers.

Publicans also do the same work as their staff. They serve customers, collect and wash empty glasses, clear ashtrays, take orders for food and wait on tables.

Some publicans live in the pub that they run, so they are always on call. In some pubs staff wear uniforms, even if it's only the same colour jeans and T-shirt.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

If you want to be a publican, you'll need to be an all-round organiser, worker, business manager and sociable person. You'll need leadership skills to motivate staff and excellent interpersonal skills for handling customers. Some customers like a friendly ear to talk to, so you should be able to get on easily with people. You also need to be able to spot trouble before it happens and calm the situation.

As well as sound business sense and an imaginative outlook, you'll need lots of energy. The hours are long and the work is physically demanding. You could be supervising a delivery of beer before breakfast and updating the pub's computerised accounting system at midnight.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Salaries for publicans are in the range of £13,000 - £16,000 a year, rising to £19,000 - £25,000. Higher earners can make around £30,000 a year. Other benefits may include free accommodation and use of a car.

Publicans work long hours, which often include split shifts, early starts, late finishes, weekend work and public holidays.

There are about 61,000 pubs in Britain and the industry is growing. There are opportunities to work in the countryside, at the seaside and in major towns and cities.

Trainee managers may be graduates or experienced bartenders over 21 years.

Opportunities exist for self-employment, as a tenant or free-house owner.

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Adult Opportunities

It is now illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Previous experience in dealing with the public, reception work or customer service is useful. Having a thorough knowledge of the local area is also an advantage

Some business experience, particularly running your own small business is very helpful, along with experience of bar work and food service.

Some employers prefer those with a relevant HND or degree, particularly in business studies or in subjects related to catering/retail.

The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), and the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, offer short courses leading to a range of relevant qualifications. These are available at a large number of centres throughout the country, by part-time study (day or evening) or by distance learning.

• 19% of publicans are self-employed.
• 9% work part-time.
• 5% have flexible hours.

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