Lease Process

The Lease Process - What you need to know:

When leasing a pub business there are many points that you will have to consider, at IONApub our team of Business Development Managers are always happy to assist in answering any queries, however below we have a brief introduction into what is required, please click on one of the links for more information.

• How does leasing a pub work?
• How much money will I need?
• What skills and qualifications do I need?
• Once you've found the right pub...

How does leasing a pub work?

IONApub is a partnership between you and us. We offer a variety of leases which are flexible to your circumstances, finances and suitability of the site in relation to your skills and experience. Our usual agreement is offered with a tie on draught products and bottled beers, however free of tie on wines, spirits and soft drinks. There is also a shared machine tie which is usually an equal split between you and IONApub. We will ensure that the pub you take over is in a good state of repair and compliant with current legislation and from there you will be responsible for keeping the property in a suitable state of repair. The length of our leases are from five to twenty five years and this can be determined by a variety of factors including funds, experience and skills, therefore we very much work around what will work for you and us.

How much money will I need?

The cost of taking on one of our pubs varies, on size, location, deposit, trading history, fixtures and fittings and length of time on the lease. There is no set minimum amount we can advise, however we do advise that any funding is not borrowed and that you allow yourself some working capital after you have paid all of the ingoing costs. Your working capital will allow you to trade comfortably during your start up period and help your cash flow. We do not insist that you employ one but we do strongly advise the use of an experienced, qualified accountant.

What skills and qualifications do I need?

This may sound like an obvious answer, but have you worked in a pub before? If not, we suggest that you do, it's a big decision to take on a pub and you need to know what you are going into by getting a taste of it. All premises selling alcohol must have a Designated Premises Manager who is certificated to permit the sale of alcohol in accordance with the Licencing Act in Scotland. You can get a Personal Licence (SCPLH) as long as you are over 18 and hold no history of convictions. You can sit the course to obtain your certificate with IONApub through the Tennent's Training Academy. Once you have gained the certificate you must apply to the local council for your Personal Licence. See our Supporting You section and look at what training the Tennent's Training Academy can provide to help you on your way.

Once you've found the right pub...

• Contact the appropriate Business Development Manager and meet to discuss the opportunity in more detail and fill out our application form.
• Complete a business plan, including financial projections, and discuss with your BDM.
  This is crucial as it will form your plan for the first year at least and should be reviewed at regular intervals to make sure you are on track with projections.
  You may wish to use an accountant to help with your financial projections. If you are inexperienced in this area your BDM can go through the plan in detail and advise the best way it could be tackled.
• Once your business plan has been reviewed and you and your BDM are happy with it we can progress to completing our interview checklist.
  This is to ensure that we discuss all the necessary points about the agreement we are entering into, for example specific tie details, need for a structural survey and money required. At this point we will require photographic proof of identity and evidence of available funds required. We will also require a copy of your personal licence.
• Heads of Terms will then be completed.
  This details the agreement and is signed by both parties, including solicitor's details for both parties. A copy will then be passed to each solicitor who will then progress with the lease completion.
• We will then apply for the transfer of Designated Premises Manager using the information you have provided.
• If appropriate you should instruct a surveyor to complete a full structural survey.
• Your BDM will arrange for you to meet with our nominated beer supplier to discuss any product changes required and set up the appropriate accounts.
  You will also meet with our nominated machine supplier to discuss the machines required within the pub. We will also introduce you to our other nominated suppliers that are part of our Little Book Of Big Savings.
• You should ensure you have an accountant and stock taker.
• Register for VAT and PAYE.
• Set up your business bank account and any Direct Debits or Standing orders required.
• Arrange business insurance.
  We can supply you with details of the Business Insurance Bureau where you will be able to obtain preferential rates.

Once all of the above has been achieved then you are ready to start running your new business with all of the help and support we can offer.