Despite uncertainty over MRO, new recruitment and pub lease data from Star Pubs & Bars suggests a high level of confidence in leased pubs and in business opportunities in the sector.
Applications to Star are up 8% in the last 12 months with 20% of applications resulting from word of mouth referral, a 17% increase on 2012. Word of mouth referrals replaced To Let boards for the first time as the third most common recruitment method in 2015 behind online advertising and approaches to ‘black book’ contacts.
Amongst existing licensees, occupancy of Star pubs is at its most stable ever. 86% are let on substantive agreements of three years or more.
Lawson Mountstevens, managing director of Star Pubs & Bars said: “The market for the best freehold pubs has been competitive for some years with many operators now finding they are priced out of that market or that it requires them to tie up too much of their capital. This combined with investment, new agreement options and increased support in the leased sector is intensifying competition for quality leased pubs which provide long term sustainable business opportunities.”