The Future Looks Bright
We understand the value of great business owners to continue to run the pubs and businesses we all know and love.
Despite it being the most difficult time for hospitality and pubs in particular right now, we have continued to be proactive in our approach and have welcomed eight new business owners taking over six pubs in the last few months.
”It’s been a challenging time and we are immensely proud of how our business owners have responded with such positivity and many have actually become the heart of their community more so now, than ever.” says Everards Operations Director Emma Roderick.
We have seen our business owners turn their hands to offering take away food and drink, some have operated as village shops or held markets in their car parks, others became collection points for Age UK Leicester Shire and Rutland. As well as being there for their community they have also taken the time to do the jobs that were not possible when open, creating a fresh new look and beautiful gardens for their customers to enjoy.
“The wonderful thing is” says Emma, “Our business owners have really pulled together sharing advice, tips and ideas via our closed Facebook group and it’s been so nice to see this online community build stronger connections. We have also used this group to offer lots of support and share guidance alongside our other methods.”
We understand the value of great business owners to continue to run the pubs we all know and love and have supported our existing business owners with cancelled rents in March, April and May and then reduced rents in June, July, August and September.
“We have been conscious to be focused and pro-active with our recruitment during lockdown, continuing to do what we always do” says Emma “and it has worked for us so far. I think people are looking to the future and how they see their lives panning out and taking the time whilst they have it to investigate if having their own pub business is viable for them.
Team collaboration has been key, we have worked closely as a business to assess where we are at and look at new ways to engage and attract talented people to work with.
The launch of our new virtual cuppa and chat events have been extremally successful. It provides a great opportunity for people interested in owning a pub business to join us online for that initial chat and get answers to their questions. With over 170 years of experience in the industry, we have lots of useful information and guidance to share. We have received great feedback about these online sessions and have a few people from these events already moving forward with their enquiries which we hope to welcome to our family soon.
It’s been a new way of doing things for us and something we will continue going forward, complementing our face to face chats. We can work in whatever way people wish us to."
Attracting the right people for the right pub or business opportunity is always at the top of the our team's agenda, and we really are a diverse business.
“At Everards, we like to do things differently” says Head of Business Development Dave Pawson “It’s what attracted me to work with them.
Proud of our heritage, we continue to be future focused and are working to ensure the sustainability of our pubs and position in the hospitality industry. Pubs are at our heart, but as an independent family business, we also like to invest in other like-minded business owners and have helped open deli’s, cafe’s, and bakeries. I was drawn to this inspiring way of thinking as pubs across the UK strive to be more than just a pub to meet the needs of today’s customers, more now in these times than ever.” Dave Pawson,
Head of Business Development
Our love of pubs and talented business owners shone through more than ever with Project William a few years back. Project William partnered with first generation independent brewers to taken on their own pubs and present their own beers alongside Everards beers on the bar. The project also helped to keep 24 pubs open which we took on as pubs of concern from other breweries.
"Pubs will always be in our hearts but we cast our net wider as we search for fresh opportunities and to work with innovative and talented business owners as they seek to establish their businesses. Whether that be a coffee house, pizzeria or tap room we are open to chatting through any strong business ideas and we may just have the right building for the project or we are able to look at buying a building for the right project.” Shares Dave.
We have just helped Ross and Camille of the Rustic Crust find the perfect building to set up their own pizzeria - a former co-op - in their ideal location of Farnsfield, Nottingham.
"We are delighted that we were able to help Ross and Camille to continue their journey for The Rustic Crust." says Dave, "They are such a professional couple with a great vision and the personalities and can-do attitude to make it happen.
This difficult time has just proved what an innovative couple they really are, and their determination has been inspiring. This is why we love working with independent businesses to help them expand and see them grow into the successful business they deserve to be.”
As we continue to evolve and invest in our pubs, other independent businesses and our new state of the art brewery in Leicestershire - which is due to open next spring - we look set for an exciting and bright future ahead.
If you are interested in running your own pub business or ready to take the next step with your own independent business, like Ross and Camille expanding on their fantastic mobile pizza business by opening their own pizzeria, we would love to chat!
To find out more join one of our virtual cuppa and chats or get in touch here.
Upcoming virtual cuppa and chat events:
You can find out more about Everards and our business opportunities at everards.co.uk
