Want to give up you day job and strike out on your own? Then maybe you have considered running a pub. Many people who have thought about becoming self employed have considered becoming a pub landlord. Whether it is a picturesque hostelry in a country village, or a busy city haunt, many people have dreamt of running their own pub.

Unfortunately though becoming a landlord and running a pub isn?t just a cast of pulling a pint now and again whilst propping up the bar in the company of friendly locals. Before you take the plunge into becoming a landlord there are a few things to consider. Not the least of which is that it is really very hard work!

Pubs are part of the fabric of the British nation. Apparently over 25% of people over the age of 18 in the Uk visit a pub at least once a week. Many of course also make more than the odd return visit as well. What this means is that there is a massive marketplace. But it also means that there is huge competition and, to make your pub succeed, you have to make it stand out from the crowd.

More people visit a pub because of its atmosphere rather than its choice of beer so creating the right kind of friendly atmosphere for your clientele is a huge challenge. Successful landlords recognise that fact ? and that is why they are successful.

Another vitally important task is to find the right mix of entertainment. 90% of public houses in the UK serve food and more people eat in pubs than dine out in restaurants. Creating an attractive menu with well cooked food whilst maintaining a competitive pricing structure is a difficult task but one that needs to be met.

Apart from food, publicans also need to provide other entertainment for their customers. Live music, quizzes, video games, pool and outdoor play areas for the kids are just some of the options. Traditionally publicans run sports teams from their pubs such as darts, pool and football. This can entail sponsorship and providing post-match food. A carefully planned and successful entertainment programme will greatly boost the amount of money pushed across the bar. So entertainment needs to be carefully planned by anyone thinking of becoming a publican.

Training is essential for the prospective pub landlord and his staff. The law in the UK states that anyone who wishes to sell alcohol to the public must take and pass a licensed retailing examination and hold a personal alcohol licence.

Training courses are overseen by the British Institute of Innkeeping and can be taken at a number of independent training centres around the UK. nyone wanting to run a pub must pass one of these courses which are run at various independent centres around the country.