Rents spotlighted in pub survey

The amount lessees pay in rent as a proportion of operating costs is to be examined in the benchmarking survey of pub operating costs for 2009.

As the Morning Advertiser reported in November, the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has opened the annual survey up to the whole trade for the first time, meaning individual lessees and tenants can submit information.

The survey asks respondents to list operating costs as a percentage of turnover, which includes rent for tenants and lessees.

Other areas for all operators include staff payroll, utility costs, premises costs such as rates and entertainment fees like Sky subscriptions.

The survey also asks for key trading information, including wet, dry and machine turnover plus gross profits achieved and how turnover has changed year-on-year.

Respondents don't have to fill in each question.

The ALMR has pledged to set up a pan-industry "editorial board" to analyse the findings. It will feature the ALMR itself plus the Independent Pub Confederation, the British Beer & Pub Association, the BII and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, which sets the rent-setting formula.

Launched in 2006, the benchmarking survey was initially confined to ALMR members. It's billed as useful tool to manage costs and make informed business decision, as well as a useful device in setting fair rent.

The survey is also used in the lobbying of Government over various issues affecting the industry.

ALMR chairman Tim Sykes said: "The industry needs a universal and unassailable benchmark for its key costs data.

"The ALMR is pleased to offer its well respected Benchmark Survey to become the shared property of the whole pub and bar sector and on this basis I can't believe that anyone would not want to take part."