How to Become a Pub Landlord UK in 2025

Introduction – Last Orders or Lasting Legacy?

The British pub isn’t just a place to grab a pint. It’s where Shakespeare allegedly wet his whistle, where Churchill plotted war strategy, and where your nan probably met your grandad on a sticky dancefloor. In 2025, the pub remains Britain’s social glue — but it’s a glue that’s thinning fast.

Key facts:

One pub closes every day in Great Britain — 209 in the first half of 2025 alone.
The South East lost 31 pubs in just six months, while rural “pub deserts” are growing across the Midlands.
Total pub numbers hover around 39,000, down by 35% since 2000.
Yet there’s hope: managed pubs are growing, low/no alcohol sales are up 25%, and event-led pubs are thriving.

👉 In short: landlording in 2025 is a high-risk, high-reward game. But if you’ve got the strategy, you can still build not just a pub, but a legacy.

Why this guide matters:
This isn’t just another fluffy blog post. It’s the most comprehensive, fact-checked, and brutally honest resource on the UK pub trade in 2025. By the end, you’ll know:

The different ways to get into the trade (and which ones are traps).
What it really costs to run a pub today.
How the big pubcos stack up in landlord satisfaction.
The mistakes that sink first-time landlords.
How to fill your pub using modern marketing.

🍻 And when you’re ready to actually get punters through your doors, you’ll want a co-pilot. That’s where SmartPubTools.net comes in — helping landlords craft social posts, quiz nights, and match-day promos that actually work.

Routes to the Bar – Ways to Become a Landlord

There’s no single path to pulling your first pint as a landlord. Instead, think of it like a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book: some routes are cheap but restrictive, some are expensive but freeing, and others are like speed-dating with pubcos.

Tenancy & Leases (Pubco Tied Model)

Share of market: 50–70% of pubs.
Ingoing costs: £5,000–£30,000.
Pros: Training, brand support, low entry costs.
Cons: Beer ties (30–50% mark-ups), eviction risks, slim profits (half earn <£20k/year).
2025 tip: If projected turnover is under £200k/year, think twice — closures are spiking in smaller tied pubs.

Free-of-Tie Leases

Share of market: 15–20%.
Ingoing costs: £20,000–£100,000.
Pros: Buy beer where you like, keep higher margins.
Cons: Bigger upfront costs, no safety net.

Freehold Ownership (Freehouse)

Share of market: 25–30%.
Ingoing costs: £100,000–£1.5m+.
Pros: Total control, long-term equity, property value appreciation (5–10% in strong areas).
Cons: Full liability, high risk, financing tough (loans at 5–7% interest).

Managed Pubs & Retail Partnerships

Model: Salary + bonus (typically £30k–£50k).
Pros: Zero capital risk, structured training, growth opportunities.
Cons: No equity, limited independence, targets can be brutal.

Community Ownership

Trend: 100+ pubs saved since 2012, often via the Community Ownership Fund (£10k–£100k grants).
Pros: Social impact, strong customer loyalty, tax perks.
Cons: Slow decision-making, fundraising hurdles.

Pop-Ups & Festivals

Ingoing costs: £1,000–£10,000.
Pros: Low risk, test ideas, fun.
Cons: Licensing hurdles, no long-term security.

👉 Whichever path you choose, the key isn’t just opening the doors. It’s keeping them busy. That’s where SmartPubTools.net helps — creating event posts, promotions, and social campaigns that actually drive footfall.

Pubco Power Hour – The Big Players Reviewed

If you’ve ever sat through a landlord induction, you’ll know that pub companies (pubcos) are a bit like overbearing in-laws: they’ll give you the keys, show you the ropes, and then remind you — loudly — that the beer tie means you’re still very much “part of the family.”

But not all pubcos are created equal. Thanks to the 2025 Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) survey, we’ve got a fresh look at tenant satisfaction scores. Here’s how the big hitters stack up:

Admiral Taverns (Satisfaction: 79%)

Pros: Community focus, flexible exit routes, supportive BDMs.
Cons: Smaller estate, limited site options.
Landlord quote (Reddit): “Best for locals — feels like they actually care.”
Verdict: A solid choice if you’re eyeing a community pub rather than a big urban boozer.

Greene King (Satisfaction: 78%)

Pros: Brewery perks, marketing support, minimum income guarantees.
Cons: Repair responsibilities, regional differences in support.
Landlord quote (X): “Decent for beginners, but the tie bites hard.”
Verdict: Great training ground, but watch your overheads.

Marston’s (Satisfaction: 72%)

Pros: Low-risk turnover models, familiar branding.
Cons: Supply chain dependence after Carlsberg merger; price hikes.
Landlord quote (Reddit): “Okay if you want structure, messy if you want freedom.”
Verdict: The “safe pair of hands” pubco, but don’t expect fireworks.

Star Pubs & Bars (Heineken-backed) (Satisfaction: 70%, up from 55% in 2023)

Pros: Big brand backing, innovative franchise schemes.
Cons: Strict beer tie, high expectations.
Landlord quote (X): “Heineken gives them clout, but you’re paying for it.”
Verdict: Rising star, but you’ll work for it.

Punch Taverns (Satisfaction: 61%)

Pros: Flexible for novices, good refurb packages.
Cons: Rent hikes, tie markups.
Landlord quote (Reddit): “Not bad to start, but the fine print bites.”
Verdict: Worth considering, but lawyer up before you sign.

Stonegate (Satisfaction: 43% — the lowest)

Pros: Big marketing reach, retail partnership options.
Cons: High churn, eviction complaints, unfair rent reviews.
Landlord quote (Reddit): “Avoid — nightmare contracts and zero support.”
Verdict: Enter at your own risk. Stonegate headlines are usually horror stories.

💡 Pubco Roast Sidebar:

Admiral: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “The helpful mate”
Greene King: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ “The old pro with rules”
Marston’s: ⭐⭐⭐ “The schoolteacher”
Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Ambitious, strict parent”
Punch: ⭐⭐ “The used car salesman”
Stonegate: ⭐ “The ex you shouldn’t text back”

👉 Whatever pubco you partner with, remember this: their job is to protect their balance sheet, not yours. Your job is to keep your pub profitable — and that means marketing smartly. SmartPubTools.net can give you an edge, creating pub event promos that outpace your neighbours.

Counting the Cost – What It Really Takes to Run a Pub in 2025

Dreaming of running a pub? Brace yourself: the romance of “being your own boss” quickly collides with reality when the bills roll in. The truth? Most pubs don’t fail because they can’t pour a good pint. They fail because the maths doesn’t stack.

Here’s the breakdown of what you’ll actually face in 2025:

Ingoing Costs (What You Pay Upfront)

Personal licence: £37 + DBS check.
Deposit & legal fees: £5,000–£30,000 (tied tenancy) or £20,000–£100,000 (leasehold).
Refurbishments: Anywhere from £10,000 to £250,000 depending on site condition (inflation has driven refurb costs up 20% since 2020).
Stock-in: £3,000–£10,000 to fill the cellar before day one.

Fixed Costs (Every Month, Rain or Shine)

Rent: £20,000–£80,000 annually (varies wildly by location and pubco).
Business rates: £15,000–£25,000 annually — despite relief schemes, 2025 landlords are still paying ~40% of normal rates.
Utilities: Energy costs remain 80–200% higher than pre-crisis levels.
Insurance & licences: £2,000–£5,000 per year.

Staffing Costs & Wages

Minimum wage 2025: £12.21/hr.
Typical pub staffing:
- 2–3 full-time staff (managers, chefs).
- 5–10 part-time staff (bar, waiting, events).
Annual staff costs: £50,000–£100,000 for an average pub.

👉 If you can’t get trade through the doors on slow nights, payroll will sink you faster than a leaky barrel.

Stock & Supply Costs

Beer & cider: If tied, expect 30–50% mark-ups vs. wholesale.
Food supplies: Costs rose 15% year-on-year.
Entertainment licences: PRS/PPL fees start around £400–£1,000 annually.

Profit Margins (The Brutal Truth)

Wet-led pubs (beer heavy): 20–30% GP margins.
Food-led pubs: 55–65% GP margins (but higher staffing).
Events-led pubs (quizzes, karaoke, sport): unpredictable, but huge upside when done right.

Stat worth remembering: For every £3 spent in a pub, only £1 is actual profit — the rest goes on tax and operating costs.

📉 Landlord tale:
One new tied tenant in Essex shared that his rent (£38k), staff (£70k), and beer tie costs wiped out nearly all profit in year one. His only lifeline? Event nights. By running weekly quizzes and match-day promos, he pushed turnover up by £100k.

💡 This is why SmartPubTools exists: helping landlords plan, post, and promote those exact nights — without wasting hours on Canva or guesswork.

👉 Try it yourself: SmartPubTools.net

Deal or No Deal – Negotiating the Best Pub Agreement

Signing your first pub deal can feel like shaking hands with the devil in exchange for a shiny set of keys. The paperwork is dense, the jargon is medieval, and the pubco rep (“BDM” in trade-speak) usually has more experience than you. But this is one area where a smart landlord can save thousands — if you know what to push for.

Rent-Free Periods & Break Clauses

Rent-free windows: Push for 3–6 months rent-free if refurbishments or repairs are needed. Inflation has pushed refurb costs up 20% since 2020, so this buffer is vital.
Break clauses: Aim for a 2-year break point, giving you an exit if trade doesn’t meet expectations.

👉 Many new landlords don’t realise that pubcos expect you to negotiate. Treat the first draft as a starting point, not a Bible.

Repair & Maintenance Responsibilities

This is where deals often trip up.

Structural repairs: Should stay with the pubco (roof, foundations).
Internal repairs: Usually yours (fixtures, fittings, paintwork).
Trap to avoid: “Full repairing lease” wording — it can leave you liable for ancient roofs or asbestos clean-ups.

⚠️ Horror story: One landlord in Manchester inherited a £50k roof repair bill because he signed without checking the repair clauses.

MRO Options Explained (Market Rent Only)

Since the 2016 Pubs Code, tied tenants can trigger MRO — essentially buying their way out of the beer tie.

When to use it: If the beer tie is crushing profits.
Cost: Legal advice + fees can run £5k–£15k.
Reality: Only 19% of tied tenants have used MRO — most don’t want the legal fight.

Legal Advice & Support

This is not the place to cut corners.

BII Membership (British Institute of Innkeeping): £156/year. Offers templates and advice.
Specialist solicitors: Expect £500–£2,000 to review agreements.
PCA (Pubs Code Adjudicator): Free mediation, though many landlords distrust its independence (2025 survey: only 62% felt it was impartial).

💡 Negotiation Tips (Landlord Cheat Sheet):

Always ask for a rent-free period if any refurb is needed.
Cap rent increases to inflation (RPI-linked, not open-ended).
Get independent rent assessments, not just the pubco’s figures.
If you’re tied, negotiate discounts on cask ale or wine lines.
Put everything in writing — verbal promises mean nothing.

👉 Bottom line: Pubcos aren’t your enemy, but they’re not your mates either. They have shareholders; you have bills. The more you negotiate upfront, the better chance you’ll still be trading in year three.

And when you’re through the paperwork jungle? The real challenge begins: filling the pub. That’s where SmartPubTools.net helps — creating promos, quiz-night posts, and match-day marketing that keep tills ringing.

Supporting Rounds – Finance, Mistakes & Diversification

Running a pub is like running a marathon in flip-flops: it’s possible, but painful unless you prepare properly. Finance, mistakes, and diversification are the three areas that make or break most new landlords. Get them right, and you’ll still be pulling pints in five years. Get them wrong, and you’ll be a statistic in the next BBPA closure report.

Common Mistakes First-Timers Make

Underestimating Costs
Many new landlords assume “if I sell enough beer, I’ll be fine.” Wrong. Refurbishments are up 20% since 2020, energy bills are 80–200% higher than pre-crisis, and NIC hikes add £19k a year to staffing.
Ignoring Legal Responsibilities
A shocking number of landlords sign agreements without legal advice. One landlord in Kent found himself liable for asbestos removal because he didn’t spot a single clause.
Hiring Wrong (or Not Training)
Staff turnover in pubs is brutal. If you don’t invest in training, you’ll be rehiring every six months — and every new starter costs time, tips, and training cash.
No Diversification
Wet-led pubs relying only on pints are closing fastest. Those running quizzes, sports nights, and Sunday roasts are surviving.

👉 Avoid these traps and you’re already ahead of half the trade.

Finance & Funding in 2025

Taxes & Reliefs

Business Rates: Reduced by 40% until March 2026, but landlords still facing steep bills.
VAT: 20% standard, though food-led pubs can balance this better.
National Insurance: Hikes add around £19k annually to average pub wage bills.

Grants & Schemes

RHL Relief: Covers retail, hospitality, leisure — extended into 2026.
Community Ownership Fund: Grants £10k–£100k for community-led takeovers.

Loans & Financing

Swiftfund loans: £3k–£300k at 5–10% rates, revenue-based repayment.
Bank lending: Still difficult, especially for first-timers. Many pubcos prefer self-financed tenants.

💡 Finance tip: Use platforms like Swoop or specialist brokers for pub-specific funding options.

Diversification – Beyond the Pint

The 2025 winners aren’t just pouring beer; they’re selling experiences.

No/Low Alcohol
- 90% of pubs now offer it, sales have doubled since 2020.
- Younger demographics prefer moderation, making this a growth area.
Events (Competitive Socialising)
- Quizzes up 25% in popularity.
- Karaoke, darts leagues, and “bring your dog” nights are thriving.
Food Innovation
- Small-plate menus and Sunday roasts are still staples.
- Coffee & cocktails help daytime and late-night trade.
Sustainability
- Solar panels, eco-beers, and local sourcing appeal to eco-conscious punters.
- Some landlords now market themselves as “green pubs.”

Case Study Stories

Daniel Matica (Old Crown): Survived closures by building strong community events.
Grant Madden (Lancashire): Expanded to a second site in 2025 despite sector struggles.
Oakman Inns: Built a premium 30-site chain before collapsing — lessons in scaling too fast.

👉 Success isn’t about pulling the perfect pint — it’s about pulling in punters consistently. That’s where SmartPubTools.net steps in: giving landlords AI-powered content to fill quiz nights, match days, and Sunday roasts without burning hours.

Life Behind the Bar – The Landlord Experience

Becoming a landlord looks glamorous on the outside: calling the shots, living above the pub, being “the boss.” The reality? It’s more 16-hour shifts, constant firefighting, and occasionally mopping up something you’d rather not identify at 2am.

But it’s also deeply rewarding. You’re the beating heart of your community, the host of a thousand stories, and the person who can turn a dead Tuesday into a roaring quiz night. Here’s the unfiltered look.

A Day in the Life (Reality vs Myth)

6:00am – Suppliers dropping kegs early. Cellar check.
8:00am – Staff rotas, payroll, chasing late invoices.
11:00am – Doors open. First customers in for a coffee (or a pint if it’s that kind of pub).
12:00pm–3:00pm – Lunch trade, stock check, kitchen complaints, one fryer blowing a fuse.
3:00pm–6:00pm – Dead zone. Time for marketing… unless you’re doing the books.
6:00pm–11:00pm – Evening trade: quiz nights, match days, karaoke chaos.
Midnight – Cash up, wipe down, lock up.
1:00am+ – Collapse into bed upstairs.

💡 Myth buster: “Landlords spend all day drinking with regulars.” Reality: If you’ve got time to sit at the bar, you’re probably going bust.

Mental Health in the Trade

Stat: 40% of landlords report serious stress from costs and workload (UKHospitality, 2025).
Reality: Isolation is common — 16+ hour days mean little social life outside the pub.
Support:
- BII helplines.
- Peer support groups.
- Networking with other landlords (often more useful than the pubco rep).

📣 Landlord story: “I thought running a pub would mean more time with my kids. In reality, I saw them less than when I worked 9–5.”

👉 This is why automation matters — tools like SmartPubTools.net free up time on the marketing side, so you’re not chained to Facebook at 3am trying to write a post about tomorrow’s quiz.

Balancing Family & Business

Living above the pub has perks — no commute, always on site. But it also means:

The line between “home” and “work” disappears.
Family dinners interrupted by cellar alarms.
Kids growing up in a pub environment (great social skills, but noisy bedtime stories).

Some landlords thrive by bringing family into the trade (partner runs kitchen, kids help at weekends). Others burn out because they can’t switch off.

Landlord War Stories (Case Studies & Anecdotes)

The Quiz Night Saviour: One struggling landlord in Devon went from 12 punters on a Tuesday to 80+ weekly by running quiz nights, doubling turnover.
The Match Day Meltdown: A landlord in Manchester underestimated demand during the derby. Ran out of lager by half-time. Lesson: stock planning is as important as marketing.
The Karaoke Comeback: A Birmingham pub clawed its way back from the brink by making karaoke night the town’s biggest weekly event.

💡 The theme? The pubs that thrive are those that create stories worth sharing. Marketing amplifies them. And with SmartPubTools, you don’t need to be Shakespeare to write them — the AI does it for you.

Marketing Your Pub – Filling Seats in 2025

Here’s the hard truth: most pubs don’t fail because the beer is bad or the staff are rude. They fail because they’re invisible.

Your pint might be perfect, your roast dinner award-winning — but if you’re not showing up in punters’ feeds, you may as well be pouring into a black hole.

Why Traditional Pub Marketing Fails

Posting too late: A Facebook post at 5pm for a 7pm quiz = tumbleweed.
Posting too boring: “Quiz Night Tuesday 7pm” doesn’t make anyone tag their mates.
Posting too little: If your last post was Christmas 2023, punters think you’ve closed.

Landlord quote (Facebook group): “I spent £200 on posters for match day. Five people showed up. Meanwhile, my competitor’s pub was packed because their Instagram post went viral.”

The 5-Word Framework: Say 5 Words, Fill Your Pub

We’ve tested this across dozens of pubs. Start with just five words about your event. Example:

“Quiz Night • Tuesday • Big Prizes”

Feed that into SmartPubTools, and it generates:
👉 Engaging posts for Facebook & Instagram
👉 Attention-grabbing Reels/TikTok scripts
👉 Posters & images (AI-generated)
👉 Multiple tones (cheeky, warm, punchy)

Result: One landlord in Essex saw their Tuesday quiz night posts jump from 3 likes to 40+ comments, with punters tagging friends. The pub went from 4 empty tables to standing room only.

Social Media That Works (Before vs After Examples)

Weak post: “Quiz Night Tonight, 7pm.”
SmartPubTools post: “Who’s the cleverest team in town? Prove it Tuesday 👇”
Weak post: “Showing England vs Wales.”
SmartPubTools post: “90 minutes. 22 players. One packed pub. England vs Wales — your table ready?”
Weak post: “Sunday Roast Served 12–4.”
SmartPubTools post: “Gravy, Yorkshire puddings, and no washing up. Book your Sunday feast now 👇”

Local SEO, Google Maps & Event Listings

Don’t forget: many punters don’t follow you on Facebook — they Google “pub quiz near me” or “Sunday lunch in [town].”

Claim your Google Business Profile.
Add all events as posts.
Collect reviews (they boost your local ranking).

💡 Bonus: SmartPubTools is developing a feature to auto-publish your events into local listings and Google posts, so you cover both social AND search.

How SmartPubTools.net Automates Content Creation for Landlords

Here’s where the tech saves your sanity:

Input: 5 words about your event.
Output: Multiple post variations (funny, cheeky, warm).
Extra: AI-generated images, weather + sports fixtures auto-included.
Result: Posts that feel written by a top marketer, but ready in under a minute.

No more stressing over Facebook posts at midnight. No more quiet quiz nights. No more watching your competitor’s pub pack out while yours sits empty.

👉 If you’re serious about filling your pub, try it free at SmartPubTools.net.

The Future of UK Pubs – 2030 and Beyond

If 2025 feels like a crunch point for the pub trade, the years ahead will decide whether Britain’s locals are a fading memory or a thriving reinvention. Here’s what the data (and a little imagination) tells us.

The Pint Price Crisis

Today (2025): Average pint £5.17 nationally, £6.10 in London.
Forecast (2030): £8 average, £11+ in cities, £13 in premium/tourist venues.
Impact: Beer risks becoming a “luxury” purchase for casual drinkers. Expect more moderate drinking and higher demand for value-driven experiences (meal deals, bundles, event nights).

Managed vs Independent Shift

Trend: Managed pubs and branded chains are growing fastest, while independents struggle with costs.
Projection: By 2030, managed formats could dominate city centres, while independents survive in villages via community support and niche positioning (craft, food-led, entertainment hubs).

Tech & AI in Pubs

Already, tech is reshaping the trade:

AI content marketing: SmartPubTools is automating social posts, quizzes, and event marketing.
Digital bookings & QR menus: Now standard in 70% of food-led pubs.
AI stock & rota management: Coming soon — predictive systems that know when you’ll run out of Guinness on derby day.
Robot staff? Don’t laugh — Japan already has robot bartenders. By 2030, we may see automated pouring in high-volume pubs.

💡 But here’s the kicker: punters don’t go to pubs for efficiency. They go for human connection. Tech should take stress off landlords, not replace them. That’s where SmartPubTools fits in — automation that keeps the landlord human, not robotic.

Optimistic Outlook – The Community Hub of Tomorrow

Despite the doom-and-gloom headlines, pubs that adapt are thriving. The future pub is more than a place to drink:

A café by day, pub by night.
An event venue at weekends.
A workspace on weekdays.
A cultural hub for quizzes, sports, music, and community life.

Think less “beer house” and more multi-use social hub. Pubs that diversify, market well, and lean into community spirit will still be here in 2030 — packed, profitable, and vital.

👉 The future of pubs isn’t just survival. It’s reinvention. And the landlords who thrive will be those who embrace smarter ways to work — like SmartPubTools.net, which handles the marketing grunt-work so you can focus on the human side of running Britain’s favourite institution.

Conclusion – Pull Your First Pint Wisely

The British pub trade isn’t for the faint-hearted. In 2025, margins are slim, costs are high, and competition is fierce. But the rewards — community, legacy, and a living built around people — are still there for those who plan smartly.

Key takeaways for aspiring landlords:

Know your entry route. Tenancy, lease, freehold, or managed? Each has unique risks.
Run the numbers honestly. Rent, wages, rates, and stock will eat most of your turnover.
Negotiate hard. Rent-free periods, repair clauses, and fair beer tie terms can save thousands.
Diversify early. Quizzes, karaoke, Sunday roasts, and no/low options keep tills ringing.
Market smarter, not harder. Pubs don’t fail because of bad beer; they fail because nobody hears about them.

👉 And that’s where the modern landlord’s secret weapon comes in: SmartPubTools.net. In a trade where time is scarce and margins are tight, SmartPubTools automates your marketing — turning five words into the posts, posters, and promos that keep punters walking through your door.

Running a pub is hard. Filling one doesn’t have to be.

Appendices & Extras

Glossary of Pub Trade Terms

Tie: No, not a strip of cloth — it’s the obligation to buy beer from your pubco, often at inflated rates.
MRO (Market Rent Only): Legal option to escape the tie.
BDM (Business Development Manager): Pubco rep assigned to your pub — part mentor, part watchdog.
Wet-led: Pub reliant mainly on alcohol sales.
Dry-led: Pub reliant mainly on food sales.
Yield: Gross profit margin on drinks/food.

Resources & Associations

BBPA (British Beer and Pub Association): Industry stats and lobbying.
CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale): Consumer group supporting pubs.
PCA (Pubs Code Adjudicator): Regulator for tied landlords.
BII (British Institute of Innkeeping): Training, support, legal advice.
UKHospitality: Trade body covering wider hospitality.
Swoop / Swiftfund: Finance brokers with pub-specific lending.

Regional Data Maps (Closures, Costs, Opportunities)

South East: 31 closures H1 2025, highest loss.
North West: Growing “pub deserts” in rural towns.
London: Pint prices hitting £6.50 average.
Wales & Scotland: Stronger survival in community-led pubs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Becoming a Pub Landlord in 2025

Q: How much does it cost to start running a pub in the UK?
A: Entry costs vary. A tenancy might need just £5k–£30k upfront, while a freehold pub can run £100k–£1.5m+. Add refurbishments (£10k–£250k), stock (£3k–£10k), and licences.

Q: Do you need a licence to be a pub landlord?
A: Yes. At minimum, a Personal Licence (£37 + DBS check). For premises, you’ll need a Premises Licence, often managed via your pubco or council.

Q: Are pubs profitable in 2025?
A: Margins are tight. On average, for every £3 spent in a pub, only £1 is profit. Beer-led pubs struggle most; food and events-led pubs perform better. Profitable pubs typically diversify with food, entertainment, and community events.

Q: What is a pub tie?
A: A pub tie means you must buy beer from your pubco, often at 30–50% higher prices than wholesale. The 2016 Pubs Code allows you to request a Market Rent Only (MRO) option to go free-of-tie.

Q: How many pubs are closing in the UK?
A: In H1 2025, 209 pubs closed in England & Wales (~8 per week). The BBPA projects 378 closures total in 2025, costing around 5,600 jobs.

Q: What are the biggest mistakes new landlords make?
A: Underestimating costs, failing to negotiate contracts, ignoring marketing, and relying only on alcohol sales. Many also burn out from 16-hour days without support.

Q: Can you run a pub part-time?
A: Realistically, no. Landlording is a full-time commitment (and then some). Managed pubs or partnerships are better suited for those wanting less responsibility.

Q: How do pubs attract more customers?
A: Events (quizzes, karaoke, sports screenings), food diversification, no/low alcohol, and smart marketing. Tools like SmartPubTools.net make it easy to promote events on social media and Google.

Q: Is the pub trade dying?
A: Pubs are under pressure, but not dead. While numbers have fallen 35% since 2000, managed and event-led pubs are thriving. The future pub is a multi-use community hub.