Public house manager
A public house manager is responsible for the commercial success of a pub or bar. Duties range from front-of-house work to staff recruitment, marketing, accounting and stock control. The role requires strong management, commercial and practical skills.
Legislation changes have led to a more competitive market and an industry which is the focus of public attention. A pub manager must constantly adapt to ensure that their pub is profitable, pleasant and safe and that it is run in accordance with the law and ethical guidelines.
The sale of alcohol is restricted in the UK. Pubs, restaurants, shops and other premises must be licensed by the local authority, and the manager must also hold a personal licence.
As public houses differ widely, day-to-day duties vary. Running a small, independent tenancy pub involves different challenges from operating a high profile 'chain' pub. Some large or lucrative pubs employ assistant managers to help with the day-to-day running of the outlet and often vacancies are advertised for a manager or management couple. Typical activities may include:
Salary data from the UK Skills Council (UKSP). Figures are intended as a guide only.
No formal qualifications are required to enter this profession, although the following degree/HND subjects may improve your chances and allow you to progress more quickly:
In England and Wales, under the Licensing Act of 2003, anyone supplying or authorising the supply or retail sale of alcohol must hold a personal licence. In order to gain a licence, you must have an accredited licensing qualification, for which the main awarding body is the British Institute of Innkeepers Awarding Body (BIIAB) . Although it may be possible to study for this during a training period in a management position, it might be worth considering taking the qualification before, to help you gain entry into a role.
In Scotland the legislation is slightly different, and the Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (SCPLH) is required. See BII Scotland for details.
Some of the larger pub companies run graduate training schemes in which trainees join the company as assistant pub managers and work through a structured programme to learn all aspects of the role. They then take the relevant licensing exams, gain more practical experience and move into a management position. Candidates are usually required to have a good standard of degree. Training schemes do not usually ask for applicants with specific degree subjects but they do emphasise the need for previous relevant work experience.
Candidates are usually expected to have a good background in customer service at a supervisory level and experience of bar work or work in a food establishment is normally required. You will also need to show evidence of the following:
A work placement with a company can provide a valuable insight into the industry and help you decide if you wish to pursue a career in the licensed trade. Placements of between six months and one year are available to those eager to learn about all aspects of the business. This will give you the opportunity to try different areas of the industry and improve your job prospects.
The hospitality industry offers fast career progression from a relatively young age and there are also opportunities for individuals with experience in related areas.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Training varies according to the size of the organisation. Larger employers seek to develop transferable skills, such as communication and generic management skills, whilst smaller employers focus on practical on-the-job training in areas such as cookery, and valued hospitality and management qualifications such as those offered by City & Guilds .
Larger chains often have graduate training schemes or fast-track management schemes. These vary from company to company, but most provide a structured programme of practical training, formal and informal courses and, most importantly, hands-on learning. Training is often undertaken in the role of assistant manager with support from the pub manager.
There are a range of other qualifications you can work towards. These include the Award in Beer and Cellar Quality and the Level 3 Certificate in Licensed Hospitality, both offered by the British Institute of Innkeepers Awarding Body (BIIAB) . The BIIAB also offers training in other areas, such as door supervision and drug awareness. There is also an Edexcel Level 3 Diploma in Hospitality, Supervision and Leadership Skills (NVQ) and an NVQ Level 2 in Food and Drink Services, as well as the opportunity to take a Wine & Spirit Education Trust course.
Managers of public houses that sell food must usually gain additional qualifications, such as the Food Safety awards offered by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) at different sector-specific levels.
Alongside the formal qualifications, there is likely to be an internal training programme. This will help to develop your communication skills, health and safety knowledge, and marketing and merchandising skills.
The first year or two in public house management is usually spent training and gaining the qualifications needed to perform the role as an assistant manager or supervisor. Certain companies may then send you to work in a variety of locations to gain experience in a range of houses, which means that flexibility and geographical mobility are essential.
Following this period, you can usually expect to secure a management position at your first house. After a significant period in this role, four routes will probably be open to you:
Rapid career progression is common for managers who generate profits quickly and efficiently, especially in larger organisations. Fast movement around the industry is also relatively easy for pub professionals with a good range of experience. The British Institute of Innkeepers Awarding Body (BIIAB) provides information on courses for experienced licensees and managers. These include the Profitable Business Portfolio (PBP), a professional development programme for experienced licensed retailers seeking to build on their existing skills.
The licensed retail industry is a large employer and there are around 52,000 public houses in the UK.
Traditionally, this industry has not been a major employer of graduates in pub management roles, but this is now changing significantly. As the industry becomes increasingly competitive, opportunities for ambitious, enthusiastic graduates with a keen interest in developing a successful business have grown. With the focus of a pub's success shifting from 'the site' to 'the manager', a new breed of pub manager has emerged. Improved career routes, training opportunities and benefits offered by the big companies mean that graduates are recognising licensed retailing as a real career, rather than just a stop-gap job or a necessary step towards a career on the corporate side of the business.
Some public house managers are self-employed, while others are employed by a national or regional brewer or an independent pub company. Examples of these employers are:
Many of these offer management training programmes and an increasing number offer training schemes specifically aimed at graduates.
The two largest pub companies in the UK are Punch Taverns and Enterprise Inns, which each own over 6,000 sites.
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