Pub advice on offer

Property agent GA-Select is to launch a consulting service in association with two trade professionals. Select Consulting plans to offer professional advice to first-time buyers as well as helping licensees to boost trade and eventually sell their business.

The firm claims that their advice could save licensees £250,000 over the average period of ownership.

Graham Allman, of GA-Select, said: "The aim is to enlighten licensees as to the ups and downs of the licensed trade, giving invaluable advice and hints and tips that will ensure ventures start in the best possible shape.

"My two partners at Select Consulting have a fantastic amount of experience in the trade and we are all looking forward to the company going live this month."

Huw Williams has a background in pubs and catering, having run his own group of pubs and worked as a troubleshooter for pub and hotel chains. Steve Gledhill has 11 years' experience in business banking within the licensed trade.

The new company is offering three levels of service. Firstly, a two-day course where a group of potential buyers will learn about the theoretical and practical aspects of running a licensed premises. Alongside this course, a "basket" of properties will be exclusively available to the attendees.

Secondly, aimed at licensees already trading, there will be a strategic review of a specific business with the aim of constructing a development plan and ultimately creating the opportunity to sell at a profit.

For struggling businesses there will be a third trouble-shooting service where the firm will construct a development plan for a business to help maximise potential.