How to Start My Own Bar or Pub Business?
Running a pub is one of those ideas many people think about but few actually act on. It sounds simple enough, good food, great beer and friendly faces but what does it really take to run your own pub?
And can you do it if you’ve got no experience?
The answer is yes. Plenty of first-time publicans have built thriving pubs with no hospitality background. What they share isn’t a CV full of bar work — it’s curiosity, commitment and the right support behind them.
Running a Pub with No Experience
You don’t need to be an experienced pub manager or chef to start your own pub business. What matters most is how you approach it. If you’re organised, community-minded and willing to learn, you already have the foundations.
Running a pub is about people as much as it is about pints. It’s creating a place where locals feel at home, visitors feel welcome and everyone leaves wanting to return.
That’s why breweries like Everards play such an important role. For generations, they’ve helped people across Leicestershire, the Midlands and beyond learn how to run a pub successfully offering the knowledge and structure first-timers often need.
How the Everards Model Works
When you take on a pub with Everards, you’re not left to figure things out alone. Their tenancy model gives you the independence to run your own pub while having a trusted partner for guidance.
You manage the day-to-day running: hiring staff, planning menus, organising events and connecting with your local community. Everards provides the business framework — training, licensing support and marketing advice — so you can focus on what makes your pub unique.
It’s a partnership that lets you grow at your own pace while building something you’re proud of.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Before you begin, it helps to be realistic about what running a pub involves. It’s hands-on, people-driven work that rewards consistency and care. Here’s where to start:
Choose the right location. Whether you want to run a pub in Leicester or a village in rural Leicestershire, the setting shapes your trade.
Plan your finances. Understand the costs involved and what support is available through your brewery partner.
Get licensed. You’ll need a Personal Licence to sell alcohol — straightforward to achieve with the right training.
Learn the business side. From stock control to staffing, these are skills you’ll build with time and experience.
Be present. Great publicans know their customers by name and make them feel welcome every time they visit.
Why It Still Matters
Pubs have always been part of British life, places where people come together, celebrate and connect. Running one isn’t just a business move; it’s a commitment to the community.
If you want work that feels rewarding and rooted in real people, running a pub might be the best decision you ever make.
Take the First Step
If you’ve been thinking about running a pub with no experience, start by exploring what’s possible. Everards Brewery has helped hundreds of people run a pub in Leicestershire and beyond, combining independence with genuine local support.
Take a look at the opportunities available through Everards and see how you could turn the idea of running your own pub into something real.