Everards places bounty on licensees
As part of its ongoing recruitment drive, Everards Brewery has increased the prize for its bounty scheme, an initiative that rewards those who find tenants for its pub estate.
The Leicestershire based brewery is now offering £3,000 to employees, licensees and members of the public who put forward successful candidates.
Simon Andrews, licensee of Everards' pub, The Swan, in Braybrooke, Leicestershire, recommended his friend Dave Talbot for the scheme in June 2007. After an official meeting between Dave and the brewery, Dave was made licensee of The Unicorns Head Inn in Nottinghamshire three weeks later.
Dave explains: "I'd been looking to take on a pub in the area for some time so when Simon suggested he put my name forward for Everards' bounty scheme, I agreed to go and have a look at the pub he had in mind.
"I liked the Unicorns Head straight away. It's an old pub full of character with two large beer gardens and I knew from the start it would be right for me.
"The whole process didn't take long at all. After I'd had a look round, I then had a consultation with Everards where we drew up a business plan and about a fortnight after that, I became licensee."
At 23, Dave is one of Everards' youngest licensees, but has already been in the pub trade for nine years. He adds:
"Although I grew up in a pub and worked behind a bar since I was 18, this is my first crack as landlord. I'm really enjoying it so far and have lots of plans to boost the profile of the pub including live acoustic blues nights, family quiz nights and pub pool teams."
Janet Sheppard, HR manager for Everards, said: "Previous experience of the pub trade is beneficial but not always necessary as we have a comprehensive training and support programme.
"Any member of the public who knows a friend or relative who they think would make a great pub landlord should first of all get their permission to put their name forward and should then pass the details on to the Everards' recruitment team. We'll take it from there; it's as easy as that."
Asked whether he has plans to nominate anyone else for the bounty scheme, Simon said: "I'm always on the look out. I'll be a rich man at this rate."
To recommend someone for the bounty scheme, visit www.everards.co.uk/bounty/
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