FAQs

Quite simply, you rent the pub from the brewery and, on a fully-tied basis, you stock alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks we supply.  Apart from that, you’re your own boss! 

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A shorter term agreement with lower ingoing costs. This works more like a franchise model, where the pub Operator receives a percentage of their gross sales. They’ll agree a calendar of events with the brewery and run the pub as their own, with less financial risk to you.

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As a Pub Partner, you will rent the pub from the brewery with a tenancy agreement and a contract to buy wet stock from us. There are no rent reviews and our agreements are completely transparent to make sure you have no nasty surprises when it comes to repairs, redecoration or compliance obligations. The majority of Robinsons pubs are on a pub partnership agreement.

A managed pub is a pub that is run by a company, who then appoint salaried managers and other staff to run the business. Major decisions, promotions or activations are often agreed by the brewery.

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You keep all the profits. We insure and maintain the fabric of the building and provide the exterior decoration and signage. It’s a simple agreement. Fair and easy to understand. The set-up costs are modest, and you enjoy extensive support from a huge range of support services on hand.

Why partner with us?

You will be joining an independent family brewer, so you can be guaranteed you’ll get the personal touch to support your business. We provide a comprehensive support package, which can be tailored to your individual needs and we also take care of any structural issues with the property, repairs, and maintenance. Being a family brewery, we pride ourselves on the fact that you, as our partner, can have face-to-face contact with our directors, should the need arise.

Why partner with us?

The cost depends upon the size of the pub, its current turnover, location and the furniture/ fittings you will be purchasing. Typical 'ingoing costs' range from £12,000 to £100,000 (exc. VAT) comprised of: Bond + stock at value + advance rent + contractual charges + fixtures and fittings. Typical rents payable bi-weekly by Direct Debit. A bond will be required upon signing the agreement. The level of the bond will either £6,000 or £10,000, depending on whether you’re operating as a limited company or a sole trader (or if the pub has letting accommodation).

Your pub will have a ‘FMT’ (Fair Maintainable Trade) calculated, also known as potential earnings. Simplified, this is based on the volumes on beer sales we know the pub can do, alongside the pub’s physical capacities, investment in the building, and knowledge, demographics and population of the local area. It’s calculated by our panel including a RICS qualified Estates Surveyor and designed to give you an understanding of what you could make, with a successfully executed business plan.

We operate a Full Tie on purchases of all wet products. Payment for products is normally due 14 days in arrears by Direct Debit. The price list and any discount structure agreed will continue throughout the term of the agreement subject to us updating the price and product list from time to time.

Rent will be agreed before you move into the pub and may or may not include rent steps. There will be an initial payment of 4 weeks rent in advance when you sign the agreement. After this 4 weeks period, rent (which includes VAT) is paid fortnightly in advance by Direct Debit.

Rent is index linked, adjusted up or down in line with the Consumer Index (CPI).

Rent may alter by agreement if we agree to spend money altering or extending the premises.

We will arrange insurance for the building, and this is not recharged to the Pub Partner. Pub Partners are required to cover for the contents including trade inventory, stock, all fixed glass, employers, third party and public liabilities, loss caused by interruption to the business and any loss of money.

You must purchase the loose trade inventory at valuation outright or via a brewery loan. When you end your agreement the ingoing Pub Partner will purchase this from you. Alternatively, arrangements can be made to rent the inventory from us. The value will be determined by an independent trade valuer. You may not sell or charge the inventory to any third party.

Gaming machines are provided by our nominated supplier and your BDM will work with our supplier to ensure you have the most appropriate machine(s) for you pub. You are entitled to retain 50% of net income after supplier share and Machine Games Duty are paid.

The beer dispense equipment will remain in the property of Robinsons Brewery or nominated suppliers. The company that has supplied the equipment will be responsible for the repair and maintenance. Cellar cooling equipment is your responsibility and we have arranged a group servicing scheme to cover this. You must allow us or, if relevant, our agents access to the Premises to install and inspect Cellar Monitoring Equipment.

Robinsons Brewery is responsible for all major repairs to the fabric of the building, as well as external decoration and signage. As the Pub Partner, your responsibility is to keep the premises and all drains, reasonably accessible gutters, gulley’s, downpipes, and all grease traps, lavatories, sinks etc. in good order and condition. You are required to keep the premises in reasonable decorative order; this includes the domestic areas.

Robinsons hold the Premises License for all houses. The premises may be used as a fully licensed public house for the retail sale of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and the ancillary provision of accommodation, food and other refreshment. You must also hold a Personal License and be named as the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) for the Premises, unless we consent to some other person being the DPS. The Tenancy is not assignable and does not include any value for goodwill.

Absolutely! We’ve been running Pub Partner Training Courses at the Brewery for more than twenty years. We run a compulsory three-day Induction Programme for all new Pub Partners. This gives you the advice and knowledge you need to run a successful Robinsons pub. It’s an essential introduction to your partnership with us. The Programme includes everything you need to know about running a pub with Robinsons. From cellar management, legal obligations, marketing and promotions, food, wine, and an introduction to our brands, we’ll cover it all.

We’re a dynamic company, with a clear eye on the future and ambitious growth plans. We’re one of the largest independent family brewers in the country, with over 185 years industry experience. New opportunities are constantly arising and there are lots of prospects to ‘move on’ within our pub estate as your ambitions grow. All our pub vacancies are posted on our website.

Everybody has the right to change their mind and move on with their life. We understand this. That’s why either party (you or Robinsons) can terminate the agreement by putting notice in writing giving 3, 9, or 12 months’ notice at any time during the tenancy, depending on the length of the agreement.

That’s easy. Pick up the phone and call us on 0161 612 4112 for a friendly, informal, no-obligation chat. We can chat through what your thoughts are, where you’d like to be and we can see if its right for you.

If we feel that we can successfully work together, a member from our Recruitment & Training team will arrange to meet you, discuss your chosen pub or go through the opportunities currently available, and agree the best way forward.  There will be no pressure…no hard selling…and no commitment until you are entirely sure that the arrangement is right for you and your future.

A personal licence, Pre Entry Awareness Training and unborrowed funding in order to start your own business.

These services are tailored to the property and typically include:

1. Gas safety test for a heating boiler or gas fire.
2. Gas safety test for a catering kitchen.
3. Electrical installation condition report.
4. Fire Risk Assessment.
5. Fire alarm test (biannual).
6. Emergency lighting test (biannual).
7. Fire extinguisher test (annual).
8. Portable appliance test.
9. Asbestos management report.
10. Cleaning of catering kitchen extraction equipment.
11. Lift or hoist inspection and test.

There are other compliance matters which we arrange for you but the costs are recharged to you separately, such as:

12. Repairs arising from a periodic inspection for which you are responsible.
13. Removing effluent from a septic tank, fat tank or similar

On top of that, you’ve got access to the wealth of support of the Robinsons teams. From marketing, PR, commercial support, pricing guidance, cellar maintenance teams, the list goes on. But, you can take advantage of all of these services we have to offer!

Fair Maintainable Trade by a Reasonably Efficient Operator – Please see our Code of Practice

Of course. If we feel you’ve got what it takes, we have the tools and support to help and guide you on your journey.

We understand what a big decision it is to run your own pub. But it’s also an exciting one. So don’t worry. We’ll give you the best possible support…from your first contact with our recruitment team, through training and business planning, to getting the keys to your first pub, and beyond. Don't worry, we will guide you through the recruitment process, help you gain the relevant qualifications and continue offering unrivalled support once you take on your ideal Robinsons pub business.

This course is a requirement for all new pub licensees. It will help you understand the various agreements within the pub sector; how to produce your business plan; and what business support is available. The course has been developed by the British Institute of Inn Keeping (BII) which is the professional body of the pub industry. It is taken as an e-learning course online and takes around five hours to complete. 

This course is a legal requirement for anyone applying for a Personal Licence. The course covers the rules and regulations of the Licensing Act 2003 and the four licensing objectives - prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm. Once you have taken this course and received your certificate, you can apply to your local council for your Personal Licence.