Robinson's tenant support package
Frederic Robinson has launched a new deal for its 400 tenants, aimed at giving them one of the best business support packages in the industry.
The brewer and pub operator, based in Stockport, Cheshire, is also introducing a form of open-book accounting to help tenants in their crucial first year.
The package covers areas such as payroll and accounts, sales and marketing, training, purchase schemes, equipment supply and maintenance.
Licensees will also get help to control energy costs, trade overheads and business rate revaluations, due next year.
A number of services are rentalised and others paid for directly by the licensee.
The package targets new tenants but more experienced licensees can also tap into any part.
The 50 new licensees taking pubs with Robinsons over the next 12 months will also receive the services of a dedicated support manager, who will lead a team monitoring newcomers through the critical first year.
Areas such as accounting, stock-taking, payroll systems and VAT returns will be monitored and a traffic light warning system will flag up potential problems.
New tenants undergo a pre-entry programme to ensure that every business service has been set up and induction procedures have been completed before the first pint is pulled.
Robinsons director William Robinson said: "We have left no stone unturned in this support, which we feel our tenants deserve."
Separately, a scratch-card loyalty reward scheme is being rolled out at Robinsons' tenanted estate. It gives customers a one-in-seven chance of a free pint of a beer. The cost of the prize is shared equally between the company and the licensee.
Pam Shotton is among the first new Robinsons hosts to take on the company's business support package.
She managed the seven-figure turnover Airport Hotel near Manchester for 12 years and took on the tenancy last March.
At the end of Manchester Airport's main runway, the pub is a popular vantage point for aircraft-spotters and other visitors.
"It's a one-off pub — not the kind of venue just any licensee could run," said tenant support manager David Nixon.
"Pam has long years of experience running a very special pub and was the obvious choice."
The pub opens at 7.30am for coffee, snacks and breakfasts. Staff arrive at 4.30am.
"You never know quite what to expect," said Pam. "When the new A380 super airbus landed for the first time a few weeks ago, our takings on the day were up by £1,000.
"We're operating a 24-hour business, which calls for a major level of control. Running the place as my own business is an entirely new experience — so the tenancy package has been an enormous help, particularly as things such as payroll, VAT or accounts are now my responsibility," she said.
