Many of our most successful pubs are run by first-time licensees who care about their community and inspire their team. You don’t need to have run a pub before. We provide training and support to help you get started.
Wondering how to become a pub landlord? Our recruitment team will help you explore suitable pubs and understand what running the business involves.
As you learn how to run a pub, our pub training programme helps you develop practical business skills. You’ll also have guidance from your Business Development Manager and specialist support teams.
Find out more in the Admiral Taverns recruitment brochure (PDF).
Proper Pubs gives you the opportunity to run a community pub as a self-employed operator, with practical support behind you. Operators receive a percentage of the weekly net turnover to pay their team and themselves. Support includes training, marketing and a dedicated Business Development Manager, helping you focus on your customers, your team and your community.
We’re looking for Community Heroes who are passionate about bringing people together and putting something back into the communities they serve. Where private accommodation is available, a Proper Pub can also provide a place for you and your family to live.
Read the Proper Pubs brochure (PDF) to find out more about the model.
Find out more
Thinking about running your first pub? Speak to our recruitment team on 01244 321171, use Live Chat or email recruitment@admiraltaverns.co.uk.
Ready to take the next step? Book a Meet the Team event or Pub Viewing Day, or arrange to meet our recruitment team or a Business Development Manager. They’ll explain the practical aspects of running a pub and our support, and assess your skills and experience.
We’ll work with you to find the right community pub for you. Browse our available pubs to explore opportunities in your preferred area.
Create a business plan, seek independent financial advice and finalise your vision for the pub. We’ll tailor our approach around your plans, helping you find the right pub agreement and support for your business.
We believe great pubs are run by great people. Our focus is on helping you build a pub business at the heart of your community, with an agreement, training and support suited to you and your pub.
Every licensee is different, and no two pubs are the same. Explore our first pub agreements and support for licensees to see how we can help you get started and develop your business.
Start by speaking to our recruitment team on 01244 321171. We can discuss your experience, the kind of pub you would like to run and the next steps, including opportunities to meet the team.
Browse our available pubs and research the areas that interest you. Getting to know the local community, nearby businesses and other pubs will help you develop your ideas for the business.
In England and Wales, you will need a personal licence if you are to be the pub’s designated premises supervisor. Applying normally involves gaining an accredited licensing qualification and submitting an application, supporting documents and the required fee to your local council.
Scotland has a separate licensing system. The designated premises manager must hold a Scottish personal licence, with its own qualification, refresher training and renewal requirements.
If you are taking on your first lease or tenancy, you should also complete Pre-Entry Awareness Training (PEAT). This helps you understand the agreement and the responsibilities of running a pub. Our recruitment team can explain the requirements for your chosen pub and agreement.
Alongside these requirements, our pub training programme helps you develop practical business skills.
Our training and support help you develop the practical skills needed to run your pub. Our Seven Steps to Sales Success induction programme covers understanding your community, developing your pub’s offer, pricing, building a team, growing sales and managing cash flow, stock and labour costs.
You’ll also have access to online learning, cellar management training and ongoing workshops covering subjects such as marketing, social media and pub finance. Your Business Development Manager will work with you to identify your training needs and areas where further support would be useful.
Explore our pub training programme and support for licensees to find out more.
Rents are based on open market value, Fair Maintainable Trade (FMT) and the future trading potential of the premises. This involves assessing the turnover and profitability that a reasonably efficient operator would be expected to achieve, taking into account the trading style of the pub and making reasonable allowances for costs.
The assessment considers the pub’s trading potential rather than simply adopting its current level of trade. This approach is known as the Profits Method.
Your Business Development Manager can discuss the rental figure and the terms of the proposed agreement with you. You can also explore our first pub agreements.
We want you to feel confident running your pub, knowing that practical support is available when you need it. Your Business Development Manager can provide individual guidance and connect you with specialist teams.
Our support covers marketing, food, licensing, property, machines and training. Find out more about the support available to Admiral licensees and how our teams can help you develop your pub.
Your Business Development Manager will work with you to understand your pub and your plans for the business. They can offer guidance on products and pricing, planning events, marketing and identifying your training needs.
They can also connect you with specialist teams when you need additional advice. Explore our pub business support to see the areas we can help with.
We invest in our pubs through projects ranging from smaller improvements to larger refurbishments. We also work with licensees to understand their ideas for developing the pub.
Discuss your plans with your Business Development Manager. Any proposed investment project needs to be agreed and approved. Read more about our property and investment support.
Under a tied lease or tenancy, you rent the pub from Admiral Taverns and agree to purchase specified drinks, and potentially other goods or services, through the suppliers set out in your agreement.
The extent of these purchasing obligations affects the rent and commercial terms. Prices for drinks purchased through Admiral may differ from those available on the open market. Tie-release options for certain drinks categories may be available in return for an annual fee.
Your Business Development Manager will explain the rent, purchasing obligations and any available options for your pub. Explore our pub agreement options and take independent professional advice before entering into an agreement.
The amount you need depends on the pub and the agreement. When taking on a tenancy with Admiral Taverns, the main initial costs to consider include:
You will also need to budget for ongoing costs under your agreement, including rent, stock, staffing and other operating expenses. Your business plan should account for these as well as the initial investment.
Browse our available pubs and speak to the recruitment team about the costs for a specific opportunity. Take independent financial advice before committing.
Yes. We work with successful licensees who want to develop their businesses and explore opportunities to take on another pub. Your Business Development Manager can discuss your ambitions and help identify suitable opportunities.
We also offer training to help you develop your business skills. Browse our available pubs and speak to your Business Development Manager about your next step.
Admiral Taverns accepts payment by Direct Debit or Open Banking (Pay by Link) only. Your Business Development Manager will discuss the most appropriate payment method with you during the application process.
