The most common questions asked by prospective tenants

1. Would I become an employee, managing a Harveys’ Pub?
   No, Harveys has no managed pubs. The pub is your own business, to be operated within the terms of a tenancy agreement. The pub property is rented from Harveys, all the retail profit of the pub goes directly to you as the self employed tenant. Food offered, pricing and profit margins are the tenant’s decision. Any staffing is the tenant’s choice.
   
   
2. Won’t the current recession hamper my business?
   The pub trade has proved remarkably resilient to sharp economic downturns in the past. Leisure markets become more fluid as customers trade down, disposable income becomes drawn towards smaller transactions. Of course, success varies hugely from pub to pub and depends greatly on the enterprise of the operator.
   
   
3. Does a tenant of a brewery need to be a beer drinker?
   A tenant needs to be a beer enthusiast. A traditional brewer such as Harveys prides itself on it heritage in brewing and our ales so it makes financial sense if the landlord can share that passion for cask conditioned beer with their customers.
   
   
4. Is it necessary to be a chef of a cook?
   If the pub taken over by a tenant already has a successful kitchen then the answer is 'yes'. Relying on outside staff can be risky so being a cook makes more sense - but that doesn't mean ability to create posh nosh - making great bangers and mash can be a real crowd pleaser.
   
   
5. What is the Tie?
   Tied products consist of all saleable drinks at the pub (excluding tea and coffee). The tenant must therefore purchase all beers, wines, spirits, ciders, minerals, fruit juices etc from Harveys at list price.
   
   There is no Harvey tie for machine income (as is common in the trade); similarly the tenant may acquire all other saleable items, (including all food), from sources of his own choice. Tied products can be more expensive than those sourced in the free trade, however the wholesale supply of all drinks products enables the brewery to significantly subsidise the rent. It is an offence and a serious breach of the tenancy agreement if a tenant buys tied products from another supplier - and a breakdown of trust.
   
   
6. What are the financial costs involved? Each pub is different but generally circa £40,000 is needed in cleared funds as a realistic start and should prevent anxiety about not making ends meet.
   
   
7. What qualifications do I need?
   You will require a personal liquor licence. (This is a BII run qualification, typically obtainable on a one day course).
   Thereafter, qualifications are dependent on the style of pub operation. e.g. Food hygiene Certificate etc
   
   
8. What experience do I need?
   In theory very little, however in practice if you have not operated a licensed premises previously, we would recommend you consider the lifestyle changes in detail and understudy an existing and reliable pub operator.
   
   
9. What training does Harveys offer?
   We offer in-house, one day, product training with regard to our beer -and where appropriate our wine. We can direct you to all BII courses in your area and can often arrange a period of understudy with one of our existing tenants
   
   
10. What if I don’t like the lifestyle and want out after I’ve taken over?
    Contractually six months notice should be given. However, Harveys would not want a tenant who doesn’t want to remain at a pub, so we would use all means to find a successor as soon as possible. In the only similar case in recent years, we organised a successor within a few days at no cost to the transient tenant.
    
    
11. Ok, what’s my next Step ?
    Moving to Harveys & Tenancy Agreement in outline.