Running a gastropub

Savvy_Sue

bangersnmash wrote: »

Yes, quite inspiring your post here and all these other good ones as well. That's a good potted guide. Maybe, obviously only if you've got time and would want to do such a thing, you could expand it into a self published ebook and printed paper book all about it. I'd expect that there's probably always room in the market for another frontline account of how it works. By someone who does it for real, at the cutting edge.

I can't help feeling that if jexygirl only had TIME to write that book, it would be an easier way of making money than running a pub. Which, as I think we can gather, is needing loooong hours atm for not much return.

eattothebeat

Wow guys...I hadn't checked in for a few days as I thought this thread had died...but thanks so much for the posts esp hats off to Jexygirl...it's all massively appreciated (I will PM you if that's ok). My step dad (the accountant) is meeting the LL tmrw to get a grip of what's going on. We are under the impression he has run out of money which is why the work has stopped...if this is the case he's going to find out about a long rent free period of around 18 months...we'll see ...it's all a bit up in the air at the minute...but I will report back tomorrow!
We'll def get an agreement signed up indeed business is business and we're not going in with rose tinted spectacles.My partner and the manager have worked together for 4 years building up the reputation of the place they currently work. They are a great team. BTW the dinner he cooked me tonight was GENIUS - he is properly gifted and I know of the many many satisfied customers who leave his current bar. He deserves to run his own place it is his dream and I enjoy working in bars and making sure everyone is happy. I genuinely believe we are on to a winner. I grew up in bars and always wanted to run one one day just like my mum did.
Thanks again everyone...cheers!

paulwf

eattothebeat wrote: »

if this is the case he's going to find out about a long rent free period of around 18 months...we'll see

My advice would be to not mention rents, rent free periods, lease lengths or anything of that nature at all. That could be a huge mistake.

Much better in my opinion is to get a commercial property agent on board and leave them to deal with all the negotiations. Firstly they do this day in day out compared to the experience that most of us have in the specialist field which is zero. Secondly the money they charge will pay for itself many times over (if they saved you a £1000 a year that's £10,000 over a 10 year lease). Most importantly though going through an agent allows you to put in a cheeky offer and play hard to get without damaging the relationship you have with your future landlord.

What usually happens is you have to act like you aren't that interested and put in a stupidly low offer. If you did that directly with the landlord that would be insulting. However the agents will know the drill and bounce it back and forth and you'll meet at a sensible offer.

By all means ignore my advice but just try and not mention figures at all. If nothing is set in stone the more you can assess how desperate they are and go in with a low offer.