Publican

Publicans run pubs or licensed premises such as bars in clubs. They order supplies and plan entertainment, as well as work behind the bar. They may also serve food. Their objective is to make sure the bar is run profitably. Hours of work are often long.

Also known as

Licensee

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 are happy with the service, surroundings and atmosphere, while making a profit at the same time.

There are three kinds of publican: manager, tenant/lessee and free-house owner:

A pub manager runs a pub as an employee of a brewery, pub company or leisure company. They get a salary and have a contract of employment like any other employee.
A tenant or lessee pays rent to the company that owns the pub and runs it as a self-employed person.
A free-house owner is an independent, self-employed businessperson who owns the pub that they run.

There are also different kinds of pub, such as traditional pubs, gastro pubs, wine bars, inns, café bars and theme bars. In some, the focus is on creating a family atmosphere. In others, there is entertainment, such as live bands and karaoke. Some have games rooms with 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 type of work you’ll have to do.

One of the biggest parts of the publican’s job is to manage the staff. There are bar staff, cleaners, possibly catering staff and door supervisors. Many could be part-time, so the work has to be organised in rotas 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 deliveries, do the pub’s banking, sort out wages and organise activities, entertainment and special offers that will bring in more customers. They are also responsible for health, hygiene, safety and security. Publicans also do the same work as their staff. They serve customers, collect and wash empty glasses, 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.

Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you’re looking for work in Wales.

Personal qualities and skills

As a publican, you need:

To be an organiser, worker, manager and sociable person.
Good business sense.
Leadership skills to motivate staff.
To get on well with people; some customers like a friendly ear to talk to.
To spot trouble before it happens and calm any situation.
An imaginative outlook to attract new customers into the pub.
Lots of energy to cope with long hours and physically demanding work.
Financial and numerical skills to handle cash and do book-keeping.
Good planning skills.
To follow licensing laws, such as not serving alcohol to people under age, and opening/closing at the required times.

A clean, current driving licence is an advantage. If you have a criminal record, there are some offences that could stop you being able to hold a personal or premises licence.

The following future skills shortages have been identified in this industry:

Customer service skills.
Identifying, and being responsive to, the needs of customers.
Clear communication skills.
The ability to develop customer loyalty, increasing repeat business.
Complaint-handling skills.

Pay and opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate. Salaries for publicans are in the range of £20,000 a year, rising as much as £50,000 for more senior positions. Income varies with location and turnover/profit margins. Many publicans receive a profit-based bonus. Other benefits can 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.

Employers are independent pubs, breweries and large retail pub operations. Opportunities for publicans occur in towns, cities and rural areas throughout the UK.

Opportunities occur for self-employment, as a tenant/lessee or free-house owner.

What’s happening in this work area?

Job opportunities in pubs, bars and nightclubs have been falling steadily over the last few years as many establishments have closed. Large numbers of employees in this sector are seeking part-time or temporary employment. Employers, however, are still keen to attract committed full-time, permanent staff, and opportunities to progress for these employees are considerable. There is a demand for new workers to replace those who have changed jobs or left the industry.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local/national newspapers, and on the Government’s Find a Job service. Large breweries and retail pub operations advertise opportunities on their websites. Vacancies can also be found through specialist recruitment agencies and internet job boards.

Entry routes and training

If you want to be a free-house owner, you’ll need a lot of experience in public houses, plus a strong business plan. You’ll also need a lot of capital to buy a pub, as this is a major financial investment. If you want to be a tenant or lessee publican, you’ll need some capital to enter into a “partnership” with a brewery or pub company. You’ll also need relevant work experience and business skills. Many breweries and pub chains run training courses for new tenants.

Although those under 18 can work in licensed premises, you must be 18 years or older to serve alcohol unsupervised, or to hold a personal licence. Nowadays, it’s becoming more normal to enter the job of publican as a manager, employed by the brewery or pub company. You could either work your way up or enter as a management trainee. To enter as a management trainee, you’ll need A-levels at least, though many companies take only graduates onto their training schemes.

Any degree subject is acceptable though a degree in a relevant subject, such as business studies or hospitality management, might give you an advantage. If you work your way up, you’ll probably start as a barperson and take on more responsibility as you gain experience. Diplomas are available in Food and Beverage Service, and in Food and Beverage Service Supervision. Foundation degrees and HNDs in hospitality and licensed retail management are also available.

Apprenticeships are available in various catering roles:

Hospitality team member (level 2 / intermediate)
Hospitality supervisor (level 3 / advanced)
Hospitality manager (level 4 / higher)

Training will mainly be on-the-job. Training within the industry can lead to recognised professional qualifications offered by the British Institute of Innkeeping Awarding Body (BIIAB). The BIIAB offers an Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH). The BIIAB has many approved training centres across the UK. The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) also offers a range of courses leading to relevant qualifications.

Some publicans move into area and regional management positions for the breweries they work for. There could be opportunities to work abroad.

Applicants for a personal licence have to declare any criminal convictions and undergo checks by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) [formerly CRB].

Qualifications

No educational qualifications are needed to become a tenant or free-house owner but good maths and English are essential for working out accounts and other paperwork. A good business sense is important.

You will usually need GCSEs (including English and maths) to take an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship. For a higher apprenticeship, you will need two A-levels or their equivalent.

For trainee management positions, some people enter with A-levels, an Edexcel (BTEC) National or Higher National qualification, or a degree in a subject such as hospitality management or licensed retail management. For entry to a degree course in a subject such as hospitality management or licensed retail management, the usual minimum requirement is two to three A-levels, GCSEs at grades 9-4 in two or three other subjects.

For entry to an HND in a subject such as hospitality management, the usual requirement is one or two A-levels, GCSEs at grades 9-4 in two to three subjects.

Adult opportunities

Age limits apply to this occupation. Although those under 18 can work in licensed premises, you must be 18 years or older to serve alcohol or hold a personal licence.

Some entrants have skills and abilities gained in bar work, food service or running their own small business.

You could start an apprenticeship as an adult.

Some employers prefer those with a relevant HND or degree, particularly in subjects related to hospitality management or licensed retail management.

The British Institute of Innkeeping Awarding Body (BIIAB), and the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) offer 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.

A number of universities and private training providers offer MBAs and HNDs in hospitality or business studies by part-time study or distance learning. The Institute of Hospitality offers introductory, intermediate and advanced management qualifications for the hospitality, leisure and tourism industries. These can be studied by distance learning, part-time or in a short-course format at local centres.

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