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Alan’s BII Journey

In light of our recent partnership with the BII, we had a chat with Alan from the Brunswick, a Fellow of the BII to see how he uses his membership to support running the pub...

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Alan shares why he thinks joining the BII is a must for any business owner.

So, Alan, what exactly does it mean to be a fellow of the BII?

I’m proud to be a fellow of the BII, having the BII sticker in your window and included in your marketing highlights that you are a professional establishment and experienced in the trade.

In an industry that’s under pressure legally and financially being a member gives you access to guidance and support to help you stay on the right side and navigate through the challenges.

How does access to the BII help you in running your day-to-day business?

I have access to a wealth of information, whether that is by accessing the portal or by making a simple phone call.

I think having access to employment law and industry legal stuff is invaluable. Not only for those taking on their first pub but also for those who are experienced in the industry. After 19 years it's still good to brush up and keep up with the everchanging regulations.

They also provide in-depth information on industry trends and the mood of the industry.

I’ve not had to use them for much in the way of guidance and support in a particular situation but the handful of times when I have made contact, they have been at the end of the phone and, always return calls and even follow up to make sure all is ok.

How easy/difficult is it to use?

It's easy to log on to their portal where you will find a hub of vital industry information, but I also like to call and talk it through.

You can sign up for updates and choose how you receive this and how often. I even get a monthly call from them; this could be just a call collecting information to help with research on trends and the mood of the industry or to see if you need support or a friendly chat following an enquiry. You can sign up for however much integration you want with them.

You get your voice heard with BII. They are always proactive – barring for reduction on alcohol taxes and support for the industry. They share regular updates. Things change all the time, and they help you stay in the loop. Things like minimum pay rates, so you can stay in the know and don’t fall foul.

How do you use it?

I use it predominately in two ways:

  1. To promote the business – marketing as a proud member of the BII tagline holds some stand.
  2. To stay in the loop - things are always changing, updates to regulations and laws, so it’s a great way to be ahead of the game.

What would you say are the main benefits to people using it?

The support. The BII are there as an organisation to fight for pubs and help and support us not only to survive but to flourish. They are independent and don’t answer to anyone else, they are there to back and support pubs and that’s pretty powerful.

You have access to lots of resources like templates for risk assessments, and recommended people like solicitors – simply log onto their website to access a wealth of information. But you don’t have to scroll you can call and ask.

Not that I've ever had to use them for this, but they can help if you need steer or support following test purchases – they are there to offer guidance.

Would you recommend membership to others?

Yes, I would 100%, recommend becoming a member. It’s a small amount of money – you may never need it but if you do it can be its weight in gold.

If you are new or have many years’ experience under your belt it is still very useful as it keeps you on the right side of the law and up to date. It's great to take time every month – I always learn something new. Whatever you need the BII are there to help and It’s great to be able to talk to someone, they always answer or call you back quickly so you can resolve queries and issues quickly and efficiently.

Where would someone new start with it?

Log on and explore the portal and what it has to offer. It’s easy to navigate, and a great port of call when you need advice on something. Don’t spend hours scrolling for the answer though, simply give them a call. You normally end up engaging with the same person through your query which is always nice.

Thanks to Alan for taking the time to chat to us. We also think the BII membership is invaluable which is why Everards are offering all business owners a year’s free membership – check your email as you should have had joining instructions from the BII.

If not, visit: https://my.everards.co.uk/contentpage/bii and follow the instructions to call and get your membership.

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BEING A BII MEMBER MEANS BEING PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER.
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