Pub Tenancy & Pub Lease FAQs
This section provides answers to some of the questions we most frequently get asked by prospective licencees.
You can read our full list of frequently asked questions and answers below or download a copy of our pubs to let frequently asked questions brochure.
If you can't find an answer to your question please contact Yvonne Bates.
1. Finding the right pub
Q. Which pubs are curently available to let?
Q. Where does Charles Wells have pubs?
Q. What do I do if I see a pub I like?
Q. I can't find the pub I want
2. Financial Queries
Q. What business agreements are available?
Q. What Funding /Capital will be required?
Q. What is the 'Capital Required' made up of?
Q. What income could I expect running my own pub?
3. Qualifications Required
Q. What Qualifications or Training will I need before taking a pub?
4. Business Support and Training
Q. What support can I expect from Charles Wells Pub Company?
5. Contact details
Q. Who do I contact?
6. Pub Tenancy or Lease queries
Q. What is a Tenancy or Lease?
Q. What length & type of agreements are available?
Q. Are your agreements fully tied?
Q. How is the rent calculated?
Q. What are the Licensee’s responsibilities concerning repairs?
Q. Who is responsible for decoration?
Q. Can I decorate the interior of the pub, even if it is not due?
Q. What are the arrangements for games machines, pool table & juke box?
Q. Can I have my own machines?
7. Operating your pub
Q. Do I need to have a computer?
Q. What happens to the staff when I take over?
Q. Who will I see from the Company?
Q. What help is available if I get into financial difficulties?
Q. Do you offer discounts?
Q. What support can I expect from Charles Wells Pub Company?
Q. Do I get my money back when I leave?
Q. Who values the Fixture and Fittings?
Q. What plans does Charles Wells Pub Company have for investing in its pubs?
1. Finding the right pub
Q. Which pubs are curently available to let?
The Business Opportunities section of this website has details of all current Charles Wells pubs to let.
You can also sign up for free email alerts when new pubs become available to let.
>> Sign up for pubs to let email alerts
Q. Where does Charles Wells have pubs?
Our estate of over 220 pubs stretches across:
- Bedfordshire
- Buckinghamshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Essex
- Gloucestershire
- Hertfordshire
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- London
- Northamptonshire
- Oxfordshire
- Warwickshire
Our pubs sit at the heart of their communities providing good catchment areas and the focal point for the local population.
>> View all Charles Wells pubs to let
Q. What do I do if I see a pub I like?
You can view details on any of the specific pubs you are interested in by clicking on the “Full Information” button. Here you will find much more including trading details, financial information such as the investment required and projected income plus the application process - just click on the relevant tabs.
You can also register your interest or send an enquiry.
Once you have seen a pub you would like to apply for, either apply online or call our recruitment team on 01234 244423 for further details.
>> Read more about the pub to let application process and what is required to run a Charles Wells pub.
Q. I can’t find the pub I want?
If you don’t see the right pub for you or want to keep looking, you can sign up to receive email alerts here.
We advertise all our available pubs to let here.
2. Financial Queries
Q. What business agreements are available?
We offer you a choice of introductory, traditional pub tenancy or assignable lease agreements. These are backed up with an unrivalled business support package to suit your needs.
We can also offer start up plans and a new deal – a franchise agreement.
For more information on the choice of agreements available from Charles Wells see Pub Tenancy or Lease - the Choice is Yours.
Q. What Funding /Capital will be required
Capital requirements vary from as little as £15,000 to £70,000 dependant on the style of pub operation, existing inventory and the type of agreement.
You can review the financial information for each individual pub available to let in the Business Opportunities section under the tab "Financial Overview". This includes the investment you will require, turnover and associated costs.
To progress your application we will need to see proof that you have funding available and that none is borrowed. A credit check and your passport as proof of identity will also be required once we progress to the "under offer" stage.
Q. What is the 'Capital Required' made up of?
This is an estimate of the capital required to enable you to take the tenancy and run your own pub business. It includes:
- Trade Fixtures and Fittings
- Security Bond
- Stock and Glassware
- Administration fee (e.g. legal agreements and licensing transfer)
- One month’s rent in advance
- Valuers fees
- Working Capital
- Training, specifically the 5 day Charles Wells Retail Induction Support Programme (CRISP).
Q. What income could I expect running my own pub?
You can review the current financial information for each individual pub available to let in the Business Opportunities section under the tab "Financial Overview". This includes the investment you will require, turnover and associated costs.
You will be required to produce a business plan to determine the profit you will make from your business. You will be provided with relevant data and you must take financial advice in respect of your business plan. A business plan and proof of financial advice will be required before the recruitment process progresses to substantive negotiations.
3. Qualifications Required
Q. What Qualifications or Training will I need before taking a pub?
This will depend on your experience, but the minimum qualification required for obtaining a Licence is the BIIAB Award for Personal Licence Holders. We also require Licensees to have completed the online BII Pre-Entry Awareness Training (PEAT) and to attend our comprehensive induction programme (CRISP) before running a Charles Wells pub.
>> See The Application Process and What to Expect
4. Business Support and Training
Q. What support can I expect from Charles Wells Pub Company?
We have a wide ranging support package to help ensure that your business is successful. This is particularly important during the first twelve months of operation. These include:
- Compulsory stocktaking package, funded through your service charge
- Compulsory accountancy package with a recommended company, funded through your service charge
- Agreed preferential terms with the buildings insurers
- Marketing support from the Pub Company marketing team
- Health & Safety information
- Licensing support
- Training - a comprehensive programme is available
- Technical Services -providing onsite training and equipment maintenance
- Cellar cooling service and maintenance, funded through your service charge
- Human Resources - advice on personnel issues
- Central Customer Support - ready to answer and resolve your day to day issues
- Detailed five day induction programme - designed to provide all the information you need to run a Charles Wells pub.
- Compulsory extract duct cleaning, funded through your service charge
You will also receive support from a dedicated Retail Development Manager. They will visit you regularly to discuss and develop your business. When required, your RDM will draw extra assistance from the Charles Wells business support package including menu and wine list planning, stock taking service and interior design.
>> Discover how Charles Wells RDMs and the team support you in running a pub.
5. Contact details
Q. Who do I contact?
We advertise all available pubs to let here.
You can view details on any of the specific pubs you are interested in by clicking on the "Full Information" button including the investment required and projected income plus the application process - just click on the relevant tabs.
You can also register your interest or send an enquiry.
If you don't see the right pub for you or want to keep looking, sign up to pubs to let email alerts here.
Once you have seen a pub you would like to apply for, either apply online or call our recruitment team on 01234 244423 for further details.
For more information on the application process and what is required to run one of our pubs see The Application Process and What to Expect.
6. Pub Tenancy or Lease queries
Q. What is a Tenancy or Lease?
Pub tenancies and leases are business agreements. A pub is let by the owner to another party – whether they are an individual, partnership or limited company. The letting agreement includes the building and adjoining land to the edge of its boundary unless specified.
The letting terms are detailed in a formal contract. They include trading arrangements, property repair responsibilities and other legal requirements for both parties. These agreements provide the tenant or lessee with freedom to run their own business. But they also retain the support of an experienced Pub Company operator.
Q. What length & type of agreements are available?
We have a range of agreements designed to meet everybody’s needs. Each has different features to appeal to different operators, their experience and personal circumstances:
Fixed Term Agreement
Suitable for people who've never run their own pub and have limited finance available
- Lower initial costs limited to deposit, stock, glassware, legal/administration fees and working capital
- Opportunity to purchase the inventory by way of a purchase agreement or rental agreement
- Contracted out of the Landlord & Tenant Act. Provides greater flexibility for both parties, as the agreement ends on a fixed date
- Usually applies to smaller sites that are more straightforward to operate
- Tenant responsible for some repairs (repair schedule would be provided)
Standard Tenancy
Standard agreement that provides a good combination of flexibility and security
- Inventory, deposit, stock, glassware and legal/administration fees and working capital are applicable
- Contracted into the Landlord & Tenant Act which means this is a rolling three year agreement, with rent reviews held before renewal
- Notice period, notice must be received no later than 6 months prior to the rent review/renewal date
- Tenant responsible for some repairs (repair schedule would be provided)
Assignable Lease
Suitable for pub retailers who could benefit from the rise in value of the business through the goodwill they create
- 10 years or more lease duration
- May be assigned to another party after three years
- Inventory, deposit, stock, glassware, legal/administration fees and working capital are applicable
- Lessee responsible for all repairs
Q. Are your agreements fully tied?
Generally yes. All drinks are ordered and purchased from the wide-ranging choice listed by Charles Wells Pub Company. However you may be able to purchase some spirits and minerals out of the trading tie, subject to negotiation. It may also be possible to purchase one micro-brewed cask ale out of tie, subject to Charles Wells standard stocking policy and the terms of Charles Well corkage agreement.
Q. How is the rent calculated?
Rents are calculated in accordance with Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors UK Valuation information paper and Pub Industry Framework Code of Practice. Rent appraisals are based on the fair maintainable trade that is the profits that the business could realistically be expected to make with a competent operator running the pub in normal conditions.
Q. What are the Licensee’s responsibilities concerning repairs?
Before you enter into substantive negotiations, you will be provided with a copy of a repair schedule for the appropriate agreement type (see What is a Tenancy or Lease?). You will be required to inspect the property with the Property Maintenance Surveyor and to take professional advice before you enter into a lease.
Q. Who is responsible for decoration?
In standard and fixed term tenancy agreements, Charles Wells Pub Company is responsible for the decoration of the exterior and public areas of the pub. For longer leases, Licensees are responsible for decoration of the whole building.
Q. Can I decorate the interior of the pub, even if it is not due?
Yes, but only with Charles Wells Pub Company agreement.
Q. What are the arrangements for games machines, pool table & juke box?
Income from gaming machines and associated products (such as pool tables, jukeboxes, SWP machines) is normally shared on a 50/50 basis (after supplier and other deductions) between you and Charles Wells. Charles Wells do not receive royalties in respect of gaming machines.
Q. Can I have my own machines?
No. Charles Wells Pub Company will provide a list of approved suppliers.
7. Operating your pub
Q. Do I need to have a computer?
Every retailer joining Charles Wells Pub Company will be expected to have a computer and internet access. This will ensure you can access our online support. We will also be able to communicate with you more quickly and efficiently as our own systems develop.
Q. What happens to the staff when I take over?
When you take over a business, existing staff transfer with it. They are entitled to work for you under the same terms and conditions as provided by their previous employer. Their legal rights are guaranteed by the Transfer of Undertaking (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE). The retailer leaving the business should provide you with all relevant details including rates of pay, hours worked and so on before you take over.
Q. Who will I see from the Company?
Your main contact is your RDM (Retail Development Manager) who will discuss business issues with you on a regular basis. Day to day contact in respect of more general issues will be the Customer Support Team. You will also see directors, dray crew, technical services and members of other support teams.
Q. What help is available if I get into financial difficulties?
If you experience material change or business difficulty beyond your control you must contact your Retail Development Manager immediately. You would be required to provide financial and other information relating to the business to enable a review of your situation and eligibility for support to take place.
Q. Do you offer discounts?
Yes. We have discount schemes and details will be discussed at your second interview.
Q. Do I get my money back when I leave?
You will appoint a valuer when you leave who will value and negotiate the sale of inventory owned by you on your behalf. The stock and glassware will also be valued by your appointed stock taker and sold to the new licensee. Your security bond will be returned, less any money outstanding for payment.
Q. Who values the Fixture and Fittings?
You need to employ an Independent Valuer to do this work on your behalf. We can supply names and addresses if you don't know anyone to act for you.
Q. What plans does Charles Wells Pub Company have for investing in its pubs?
Charles Wells Pub Company produces long-term investment plans. We are keen to invest in businesses that will show a good return for both Licensee and the Company.
Our support services are also developed to help you build profitable and long-lasting business models. When you have established yourself in the business, please discuss any future investment ideas with your RDM. But remember that the investment process could take a long time to run from idea to completion.
It's likely that you will be required to make a joint investment with Charles Wells, usually to improve the standards of the fixtures and fittings.
