Black Country Ales

Pub Manager

Permanent

31/12/2023

The Black Country Ales Brewery and Public House estate has been established through a genuine love of traditional ales. We understand that pubs are a part of our country’s heritage, and a vital centre for our communities. Our goal is to uphold the values of the traditional real ale pub: A comfortable friendly atmosphere, log fires, and most importantly of all, a wide range of top-quality ales. Our pubs exist to spread our love of real ale across the West Midlands, so that everyone can enjoy a quality pint alongside freshly made cobs, locally sourced pork pies and scotch eggs.

 We are looking for self-employed licensees, preferably a couple, to join in our company’s expansion. You will be paid a weekly commission which is a set percentage of the weekly takings, you are also responsible for employing and managing your own staff.

Living on site is essential, accommodation and bills (except council tax & personal TV license) are financially compensated by the company, including all running costs of the pub.

If you can uphold the values of Black Country Ales and would welcome the opportunity to work within our thriving and supportive company, please send your CV and/or letter of application to recruitment@blackcountryales.co.uk

Throughout the year we are holding several recruitment days, where you can come along, have a chat, meet members of the team, and get a feel for our traditional houses.

The upcoming recruitment date:

Thursday 23rd November - The Vine, Wednesfield, WV11 1TN

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long is the contract term?

There is no set term to the contract. Many of our licensees have been with us over 5 years. If you wish to leave we require 4 weeks’ notice after your 13 week probation period.

During your first 13 weeks it is 1 weeks’ notice.

• Would I be employed by Black Country Ales?

No. This is a fully self-employed position. You pay your own wages & taxes. There is no sick pay or pension scheme.

• What do I need to pay for?

You employ and pay for your own staff, your own council tax to live in the pubs accommodation and your own personal TV license & contents insurance.

• Will training be provided?

Yes training will be provided at one of our nominated training pubs. You will spend 2 days with an experienced licensee to cover off all our systems and ways of working.

That licensee will also accompany you for your first day when you take over your own pub to help you settle in. There is no cost for this, but you will not be paid for this.

• How much does it cost to take on a pub?

There is no cost to buy in. We ask for a £1,000 deposit bond to ensure against damage in the pubs accommodation. This can be paid up front or in weekly instalments.

• Do I need to live on site?

Yes this is a condition on our insurance. We also feel it is important for our licensees to welcome their customers into their own homes.

• How will I be paid?

You are paid weekly in cash on a Sunday, in some cases this may be by bank transfer depending on the pub sales.

• How much will I earn?

You are on a set percentage commission of the weekly gross takings. So it depends how much the pub takes and how much you want to work yourself and spend on staffing.

The more you increase the takings, the more you earn.

• Is the food business my own?

We supply bar snacks, crisps, nuts, scratchings, tea & coffee. Outside of this the food offering is your own.

We don’t generally have commercial kitchen facilities, so good bar food is encouraged; Pork pies, scotch eggs, sausage rolls.

We insist on a minimum offer of a good quality freshly Cob. You buy the ingredients but take 100% of the profits on food.

• Do I need to do much office/ computer work?

No. We keep our systems simple to keep our Licensees out of offices. We want our licensees to be customer facing not behind a desk.