Punch trials franchise tenancy deal
The agreement is aimed specifically at newcomers to the industry, Slee said. He said it’s “more hands on than a traditional tenancy”, with Punch advising on prices.
Slee said: “We are currently trialling the Punch franchise tenancy. It’s trialled in seven sites. It’s aimed specifically at people new to the trade. It gives them more of a structure to run their pubs.”
Pubs in Hereford, Rugby and High Wycombe are among those included in the trial. Slee said the sites are in Punch’s core estate. “These are not bottom end pubs.”
Slee spoke to M&C Report at Punch’s roadshow at Twickenham Stadium in London, the third out of nine roadshows that are taking place nationally in October and November. The first two events attracted c500 Punch licensees, believed to be an 18% increase on the previous year. The Twickenham event is believed to have attracted as many as 450 licensees.
Meanwhile, M&C Report has learnt that Punch is to host a series of free “Fighting Back” workshops for its licensees early next year.
Three courses are offered: Creative Tactics, aimed at ideas to boost sales; Training to Win, which focuses on staff training; and Offering the Main event, which looks at running successful events. Sessions are bespoke for individual pubs and take place at nine locations in January, February and March.
