How SmartPubTools Assesses Pub Opportunities
SmartPubTools publishes independent assessments of available UK pub tenancies and leases. This page explains exactly how those assessments are produced and what data sources we use.
Who We Are
SmartPubTools is operated by Shaun McManus, a working pub landlord at Teal Farm Pub, Washington NE38, operating under a Marston’s Community Retail Partnership. Our assessments are written from genuine first-hand operator experience, not from a marketing or journalism background.
Our Data Sources
Pub listing information
We retrieve pub availability, agreement types and headline rent figures directly from each pub company’s own published website. We link to the original source in every assessment.
Google ratings and reviews
We use the Google Places API to retrieve current Google Maps ratings and review counts for every pub we assess. These figures are accurate at the time of writing and are clearly dated.
Local area data
Population figures come from the ONS Census 2021. Employment data comes from NOMIS Official Labour Market Statistics. We use postcode-level data where available.
Pubs Code information
All information about tied tenant rights, the Market Rent Only option and Pubs Code compliance comes from the official Pubs Code Adjudicator website (gov.uk/pubs-code-adjudicator).
What Our Financial Figures Mean
Financial figures in our assessments — including ingoing costs, deposit requirements and working capital estimates — are illustrative estimates only. They are based on:
- The pub company’s own published figures where available
- Comparable agreements of similar size and type
- Our own operator experience
These figures do not represent guaranteed costs or income. Every pub agreement is different. Always obtain independent financial advice from a licensed trade specialist before entering any agreement.
What We Don’t Know
We publish what the data shows. We don’t always know:
- The current physical condition of the building
- Recent changes in local competition
- The reason a pub is available
- Whether the published rent is negotiable
- Internal sales or footfall data (unless published by the pubco)
We flag these gaps in our assessments where relevant.
Keeping Information Accurate
Pub opportunities change frequently. We update our assessments when we become aware of significant changes. If you have better information about a specific pub — whether you’re the current operator, a nearby resident or a prospective licensee — we welcome corrections.
Email us: info@smartpubtools.com with the subject line “Correction request: [pub name]”
Our Independence
SmartPubTools is not affiliated with, funded by or in a commercial relationship with any pub company featured on this site. We receive no payment from pubcos for featuring their available pubs. Our revenue comes from affiliate partnerships with software and services used by pub operators (such as EPOS systems and accounting software) and from our own Pub Command Centre product.
Limitations and Liability
Our assessments are provided for informational purposes only. They do not constitute financial, legal or commercial advice. SmartPubTools accepts no liability for decisions made based on information published on this site.
Always seek independent professional advice from:
- A licensed trade solicitor
- A specialist pub accountant
- The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII)
- The Pubs Code Adjudicator