Freehouse Business Club
The Freehouse Business Club is a community of independently-owned UK pubs. The free-to-join club meets twice a year for day-long seminars that include market insights, innovation and business inspiration from freeholders, as well as fantastic networking. Business club members also receive a monthly e-newsletter that provides news, analysis and exclusive offers. For more information on how you can become part of the Freehouse Business Club and benefit from networking with other UK pub owners, contact us for membership enquiries
Feedback from attendees at our October 2012 event:
"Thoroughly enjoyed it. Learnt a lot as promised, pen ran out and note pad full!"
Beverley Sambridge, Marquis of Granby
"Very enjoyable and interesting; gave us lots of ideas - can't wait for the next one"
Janet Carter, Sitwell Arms
"A good day, will take back more action points than I will ever be able to achieve"
Simon Morgan, The Pilgrim
Pub visits fall but customer spend per visit on the rise
The rising cost of visiting pubs and restaurants means people are spending more per visit, but going out less, according to new research.
New maternity reforms could be a "disaster" for pubs
New maternity leave reforms announced by the Government last week “could be a recipe for disaster” for licensees.
Pubs saved from an average 11% rise in business rates, show VOA stats
Pubs have been saved from an average 11% rise in business rates payments, following the Government’s announcement to push back revaluations by two years.
Pubs could get more flexibility in choosing first aid training
Pubs will no longer be restricted in choosing first aid training that has been accredited by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), if proposed plans go ahead.
Nine out of 10 licensees missing out on thousands of pounds in unclaimed tax relief
Nine out of 10 licensees refurbishing their pubs are missing out on thousands of pounds in unclaimed tax relief, known as capital allowances, according to tax specialists MoneyBee Tax.
Freehouse Business Club, Nottingham Belfry picture gallery
More than 120 freehouse owners heard from a range of expert speakers and entrepreneurial licensees at the latest Freehouse Business Club.
Research shows 90% of bar staff paid below living wage
Ninety percent of bar staff are being paid below the rate to afford a basic standard of living, according to new research commissioned by accountancy firm KPMG.
Pubtokens gift voucher service attracts 250 more pubs
Pubtokens, a service that provides gift vouchers for use across the UK pub market, has added 250 more pubs to the scheme, taking the total number of redeeming outlets to nearly 1,400.
Licensees urged to get their local MPs to attend the beer tax debate
Licensees are being urged to get their local MPs to attend a debate over the beer duty escalator in Parliament next Thursday.
Brewers could close after Waverley TBS administration
A couple of small breweries could close down as a result of the collapse of drinks supplier Waverley TBS — that’s the stark reality from Buster Grant, owner of Brecon Brewing in Wales.
Freehouse Business Club: Download event coverage
Download a PDF of the coverage from the latest Freehouse Business Club, held at the Nottingham Belfry Hotel in October 2012.
PMA regular Gerry Price buys freehold of Inn @ West End from Enterprise Inns
A well-known Surrey licensee and regular PMA contributor has expressed his excitement after securing the freehold of his pub from Enterprise Inns.
Pubs selling more coffee than cafes
Britain’s national pub chains have become the country’s number one coffee seller according to new figures released by the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR).
Cask Ale Week hailed a success after 8,000 pubs take part
Cask Ale Week has been hailed a success after 8,000 pubs got on board with this year’s event.
Freehouse Business Club: Nottingham, 15 October event agenda
Download the full agenda for the next Freehouse Business Club event, to be held on 15 October at the Nottingham Belfry.
Bulmers campaign to celebrate 125 years of cider making
A new campaign for Bulmers cider called “In the Beginning”aims to highlight the brand's 125 year history.
Pubs could benefit from new £41m tourism marketing campaign
Pubs could be set to benefit from a £41m Government-backed marketing campaign launched by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF) with contributions from VisitEngland and the private sector.
Pub installs defibrillator after customer has suspected heart attack
The Black Bull Inn in Penwortham, Lancashire, has become the latest pub to install a defibrillator after a customer had a suspected heart attack during its weekly Thursday night quiz.
BII Licensee of the Year 2011 Darran Lingley buys second pub
BII (British Institute of Innkeeping) Licensee of the Year 2011 Darran Lingley has bought the freehold of another Essex pub, off an asking price of £395,000.
First two apprentices complete new training course with British Institute of Innkeeping
The first two hospitality apprentices to successfully complete a new training course have been unveiled by the BII (British Institute of Innkeeping).
BII Licensee of the Year Mahdis Neghabian to speak at Freehouse Business Club
The BII’s (British Institute of Innkeeping’s) Licensee of the Year Mahdis Neghabian will share some of her award-winning tips with delegates at the next Freehouse Business Club.
Newquay licensee advises pubs to "research thoroughly" when adding accommodation
Licensees should plan ahead and research their options when considering adding accommodation to their pubs — that’s the advice from Dan Trotter, of Lewinnick Lodge in Newquay, Cornwall, who has added 10 boutique rooms to his venue.
BII to hold series of pub roadshows for members and non-members
The BII is to hold a series of roadshows for members and non-members across England and Wales which will give licensees access to business advice from a range of pub trade experts.
Pubs warned over rogue business rates agents
Pub property agent Fleurets has reported that certain areas are being targeted by rogue business rates agents, causing problems for the company when putting forward genuine claims.
Top Tips: Raising funds for your pub business
Looking to grow your pub empire? Think there’s a shortage of money around? Well, think again. There are plenty of potential investors out there — it’s just that the organisations who have got it, are afraid to use it.
Sky strikes deal with Molson Coors
A new deal between Sky and brewer Molson Coors offers independent outlets up to one-third off the price of their Sky subscription, a freeze on the price of Carling until December 2013 and free WiFi.
SIBA signs deal with Ooberstock to give freehold pubs better access to local beers
The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) has signed a deal with new drinks distribution company, Ooberstock, which will allow freehold pubs, bars and restaurants access to a range of beers from participating local brewers around the UK.
Freehold pub company and private sites up for auction
Twenty-one freehold pubco and private sites are set to go under the hammer at a Sidney Phillips auction next month, with sale guide prices ranging from £80,000 to £295,000.
Alastair Sawday Pubs and Inns' editor says pub diversification growing
Successful food pubs are those focusing on diversification, according to the editor of Alastair Sawday’s Pubs & Inns guide.
Four freehold pubs sold at Allsop auction
Four out of five freehold pubs were sold at a property auction held by Allsop in London last week, with sale guide prices ranging from £325,000 to £1.5m.
Business Boosters: Three ideas for driving food and drink sales at your pub
Pub Chef looks at three ideas for driving food and drink sales at our pub: a chocolate festival, butcher's block, and brunch with afternoon tea.
Publicans urged to gather more trading info to help business rates appeals
Licensees are being warned to be more diligent with the information they gather when taking on a new pub, to help any future business rates appeals.
Adding accommodation to your pub: legal checklist
More and more operators are seeking new income streams. So, if accommodation is going to be the next big thing then what do you need to consider before going ahead?
Top tips on increasing your pub profits with desserts
It can often be the first thing diners drop in hard times, but there are ways to put the last course at the forefront of people’s thinking. Fiona McLelland finds out how to increase profit through desserts
Marlborough Tavern pub owners take on a third site in Bath
The owners of two award-winning Bath gastropubs have taken on a third in the area.
Cost of a pub meal out increases and north/south price divide narrows
Regional price disparities are disappearing as the cost of dining out in pubs leaps by over 4%.
Pub 'friendliness' top factor for consumers when choosing destination
The friendliness of a pub is the most important factor consumers consider when deciding which one to visit.
Running a pub festival: Legal responsibilities and pitfalls
Festivals are part and parcel of a British summer nowadays — and running one is a fantastic opportunity to remind people that you are at the heart of your community.
Great British Pub Awards 2012 now open for entries
The Great British Pub Awards 2012 has officially launched today and is now open for entries.
Freehouse profile: The Bell, Alderminster
Emma Holman-West, freeholder at the Bell in Alderminster, near Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, explains how a sharp focus on customers and standards makes a difference at the pub.
Trade day tickets go on sale for the Great British Beer Festival from this week
Licensees can apply for trade day tickets for the Great British Beer Festival from this week.
Admiral unveils first right to buy
Admiral Taverns, the tenanted pub operator, has revealed details of the first agreement it has signed with a tenant that gives them the opportunity to buy the freehold of the pub from three years into a lease.
PubAid calls on licensees to share information on charity work
PubAid is calling on licensees to share information about their charitable fundraising efforts.
UK foodservice industry is returning to growth helped by menu and brand innovation
UK foodservice sales will increase to levels seen in 2008 next year as the market returns to growth, according to consultancy Horizons.
Food sales account for 50% of turnover in 5,000 UK pubs as drink sales continue to decline
Food sales now account for 50% of turnover in an estimated 5,000 pubs in the UK, classifying them more as restaurants than pubs, according to foodservice consultancy Horizons.
Pub prices stabilising, claim pub property valuers
The price of freehold and leasehold pubs have stabilised over the past six months, according to a poll of pub property valuers.
Former Farlane pubs sold at auction
Seven out of eight closed freehold pubs formerly owned by Farlane Property Group, which was placed into administration in 2010, have been sold at auction.
Emulate casual-dining, pubs urged
Pubs need to branch out into the casual-dining sector to survive, foodservice consultancy Horizons has warned.
Freehouse Business Club: Three licensees share their big ideas
The Publican’s Morning Advertiser’s latest Freehouse Business Club meeting, held in February 2012, featured insights from three successful freeholders.
Colliers sets up guide to buying a pub
Colliers International has set up a road map to help guide new licensees through the process of buying a pub, after seeing a trend in people using redundancy payouts to enter the trade.
Surveyors launch app for pub valuations
Freehold licensees outside of London can now find out the estimated potential value of their pub through an online tool.
Freeholders urged to hold innovative events
Freehold licensees should take the opportunity to add something different to their events rather than following pub company ideas to increase sales.
PMA's Freehouse Club event line-up
The former editor of the Michelin Great Britain & Ireland Guide is among speakers at the PMA’s next Freehouse Business Club event.
Northumberland’s Feathers Inn is Great British Pub of the Year
The Feathers Inn, in Hedley-on-the-Hill, Northumberland has been named the Great British Pub of the Year 2011.
Why freehouses merit a bigger role in new order
The freehouse is better placed to meet community needs, like when a post office or paper shop is needed, says Tony Jennings.
Freehouses: the land of the free
The already buoyant freetrade sector is predicted to grow over the next few years. Tony Halstead reports. There are approximately 18,000 freehouses in the UK,...
Winning ideas at Freehouse 500
The BII Licensees of the Year 2010 will be sharing the secrets of their success at the Morning Advertiser's next Freehouse 500 event.
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