Brakspear has been named the best pub operator in an annual survey of UK pub tenants and lessees carried out by industry research specialists KAM.
Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies
Brakspear was placed first in 30 of the measures of The Licensee Index, securing the number one spot among the 15 pub operators taking part.
The results are based on research among licensees — referred to as business owners by Brakspear — running pubs with both large national pub operators and smaller, family-owned operators.
In phone interviews, KAM researchers ask licensees to rate their pub operator on a raft of measures including: company culture; understanding their business and offering valuable advice; helping to reduce operating costs; support from business development managers (BDMs); marketing support; training courses; and the recruitment process.
“The Licensee Index is recognised as the most thorough survey in the tenanted and leased sector, with their researchers leaving no stone unturned in their pub interviews,” said Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies.
“We are delighted to have taken the top spot: it’s a great endorsement of our ethos of treating all our business owners as individuals, and offering tailored support to help them run thriving pubs.
“My thanks to all our BDMs and head office team members who work hard to understand each of our pubs and support our business owners. We were particularly pleased to score highly on the value added by our BDMs, our marketing, and on helping our business owners to make the cost savings that are so important in running a successful pub today.”
Case study: The Three Horseshoes, Henley-on-Thames
Mike and Grace Jones (pictured above) took on The Three Horseshoes last October, filling big boots left by outgoing business owners Nigel and Julie Rainbow, who had run the pub for 25 years.
“We knew we wanted the Three Horseshoes as soon as we saw it,” said Mike. “We loved its traditional, community feel, and could see exciting opportunities to grow the food trade.
“Our Brakspear BDM offered tons of support to get our business plan over the line, and the whole recruitment process was smooth for us. We took the keys six weeks after first viewing and opened 10 days later, after a small refurb.
“We couldn’t have asked for any more from Brakspear, and they’ve continued to offer the support we need as we develop the business.”
