The business partners

Flight engineer Ian Oakley wants a job where his feet are firmly on the ground after his ambition to become a pilot came to a premature end.

"I wanted to get a commercial pilot's licence but I was made redundant," says Oakley, 44, a former Virgin Atlantic employee. "I decided if I'm not going to fly I would go somewhere else."

Oakley, pictured above, left, teamed up with his friend Alin Memet, 35, who has run three different catering businesses, and they have set their sights on the pub trade. "Running a pub by yourself is very difficult," says Memet. "We will share the load."

One site in particular has taken their interest, a village pub a few miles from their hometown of Reigate, Surrey. The location is especially important because the two men both have young families.

But Oakley stresses that they are flexible as to the type of pub they want to go for and the duo are keen to look around before taking the plunge.

"I've known the Whyte Hart in Bletchingly for years and it would be a great opportunity. Although it's on a main road it's a bit of a country pub. We'd also look on the high street. I just want a pub that could be turned around, one that has potential. It could be any style really, but I do like good country pubs, which is what the Whyte Hart could be."

He adds: "Alin has quite a good catering background and he doesn't seem phased at all. There's good money to be made for us. And if people come for the food they stay for the drinks.

"The only problem is that if we have food, we will need more staff, so there's a balance and we've got to get it right."

Oakley says they hope to pay for the lease with the money they have accumulated, and they have put an upper limit of around £100,000 on the project. He has cash put by from his house, and Memet has money from the sale of a business.

"If we can't find [enough money] then we would have to approach the bank for a loan."

The duo are aware of the difficulties with the legal side of the business and spoke to licensing solicitors Stevens Drake at the open day. Oakley predicts: "It's going to be a steep learning curve."