​This agreement gives you the opportunity to benefit from a capital refurbishment, at the onset of your agreement, made by us, in consultation with yourself and being able to assign the lease after two years.Key features include:<ul><li>A fixed 10 year lease agreement</li><li>Substantial investment funded by Stonegate at the outset of the lease to support you in growing the pub’s trading potential</li><li>Fully assignable after two years</li><li>Flexibility of drinks tie to suit your business, with the ability to utilise tie release fee’s from a fully tied basis</li><li>Flexible credit terms, weekly billing and the ability to spread costs such as Buildings Insurance</li><li>Open Market rent review at year 5 with the ability for rent to be rebased either upwards or downwards in line with the market.</li></ul>

Partnership Investment Lease

Key features include:​<ul><li>A flexible term of up to 5-years with the inclusion of notice provisions throughout</li><li>Flexibility of drinks tie to suit your business, with the ability to utilise tie release fee’s from a fully tied basis</li><li>Peace of mind with Property Repairs with Stonegate looking after all structural repairs (and you keep the rest up to scratch)</li><li>Low cost ingoing’s with deposit requirements from as little as £2,000</li><li>Flexible credit terms, weekly billing and the ability to spread costs such as Buildings Insurance</li><li>Access to a suite of dedicated training solutions developed with the insight of operating our successful managed house estate in order to support you in running your own business.</li></ul>

Retail Partnership Tenancy

This agreement gives you the opportunity to secure a ten year lease with potential to earn an incentive payment at the end of 10 years and&nbsp;assign the lease after two years.Key features include:<ul><li>A fixed 10 year lease agreement</li><li>The opportunity for substantial end of term incentive bonus which can be transferred&nbsp;upon assignment</li><li>Fully assignable after two years</li><li>Flexibility of drinks tie to suit your business, with the ability to utilise tie release fee’s from a fully tied basis</li><li>Flexible credit terms, weekly billing and the ability to spread costs such as Buildings Insurance</li><li>Freedom of choice between an Open Market or Annual Indexation Review for your year 5 rent</li></ul>

Partnership Incentive Lease​

Our self-employed agreement helping pub lovers to access low-risk, high-reward potential opportunities to run pubs they love. Pubs on this agreement are community-locals often with an emphasis on sport, entertainment, and community work. These agreements are perfect for aspiring publicans who want to run their own business, within a supportive partnership with the UKs largest pub company by their side. This model is best suited to someone who wants to bring their personal flair to a predetermined business model while being incentivised and challenged to continuously grow their business.-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Uncapped operator earning potential. Our agreements offer 4 distinct streams of available income outlined below-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Industry leading profit share scheme, offering 10% of all year-on-year profit growth (uncapped)-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Quarterly machine profit share &amp; sales incentive payments-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A percentage of weekly net turnover to pay yourself and your staff-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Low risk agreement with ingoing costs of only a £500 deposit-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Open ended agreements with no fixed end date-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Notice periods ranging from 4-8 weeks dependant on length of service-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On-site accommodation provided

Craft Union (Operator Led)

<ul><li>Option at selected sites to negotiate a lease that's free of tie for 10 or 20 years</li><li>Fully protected under Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, with the right to renew</li><li>You have full responsibility for repairs</li><li>Rent is subject to annual indexation to RPI</li></ul>

Commercial Lease (Free of Tie)

<h3>Key Features include:</h3><ul><li>A fixed term of 5 years without any landlord break option</li><li>Greater flexibility with the tie – we have tie release options across wines, FABs, spirits and minerals in return for a tie fee release. This also provides business certainty regarding the costs involved in the event of full tie release</li><li>The freedom to operate machines (if you want to) and retain all of the income</li><li>Peace of mind with property repairs – Stonegate looks after all structural repairs, you just keep the rest up to scratch</li><li>Low-cost in-goings, with deposit requirements from as little as £2,000</li><li>Flexible credit terms, weekly billing and the ability to spread costs such as buildings insurance</li><li>Access to a suite of dedicated training solutions (developed with insight from our successful managed house estate) to support you in running your own business</li></ul>

Fixed Term Tenancy

With a Beacon Retail&nbsp;Partnership Agreement, you will have the freedom to run your own pub business. We will provide extensive support to help you maximise the success of your new pub business. Your pub, with our support, a winning combination. Key features include:​<ul><li>An agreement which gives you the freedom to run your own pub business</li><li>Providing extensive support&nbsp;to help you maximise your business​</li><li>Being able to sell category leading brands at prices to suit your local community</li><li>Promotions and marketing support for key occasions</li><li>A try before you buy agreement of initially just one year in term&nbsp;</li><li>EPOS tills to help you control your business</li></ul>

Beacon Retail Partnership Tenancy

The Full Tie Release Fee is assessed on the basis of a Market Fair Maintainable Trade profits calculation. This firstly takes account of the estimated uplift in gross profit derived from you moving from purchasing tied drinks from our price list to purchasing these and/or similar products in the open market. This increases the ‘divisible balance’ (i.e. the net profit before rent) against which a rental bid is then applied which we believe reflects the resultant agreement terms. The Full Tie Release Fee will, if applicable, be payable weekly on the rent days in addition to the rent(and any other sums payable under this tenancy)but will replace any Tie Release Fee payments agreed between parties for individual drinks categories. The Fee is subject to annual, capped indexation.

Potential Full Tie Release Fee

Do I need any qualifications to run a pub?We have an online qualification from the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) that you need to complete before you take on the running of your own pub. The BII’s PEAT qualification (Pre-Entry Awareness Training) gives an independent overview of tenancy terms across all pub companies and breweries, covered by the industry code of practice.If you want to run a pub you will also need to have a personal licence which allows you to sell alcohol on the premises. Getting a licence is usually straightforward – call our team to find out more on 03333 200 036.What do I need to be a successful Pub Partner?To succeed as Pub Partner you will need perseverance, time management skills and resolve – running a pub is definitely not a 9-5 job. You will need to be aware of the types of situations that can arise including covering shifts when a team member is unavailable to work, early or late deliveries and a never-ending to-do list! Taking on a pub can be a challenge but by being determined, – alongside the support and experience of Stonegate Pub Partners, you will be able to achieve your goals and have fun whilst doing it.How much support will I get?We have dedicated Pub Support Teams as well as a team of Regional Managers. They are on hand to help and guide you as you build your business. Your Regional Manager will visit you regularly and offer business advice and marketing tips to help you thrive.What is the difference between a tenancy and a lease?Usually, a tenancy is for a shorter period of time and you can’t sell on the goodwillof the business . A lease is a longer agreement and you are able to sell on the goodwill of the business when you leave.Do I have to buy drinks from Stonegate?Your agreement will tell you which products you have to buy from Stonegate. This is known as the ‘tie’, and the majority of our pubs are tied in some way.Who pays for repairs?If you have a tenancy agreement you will need to pay towards a repairs and maintenance fund. If you have a lease agreement you are usually responsible for repairs, but you will need to pay into a repairs fund to cover any repairs we make for you.Who pays for insurance?Stonegate Pub Partners insurance is re-charged to you on a banding basis depending on the size and style of your pub. You are required to insure other areas of the business that you are responsible for, including public and product liability, employee liability, fixtures and fittings and loss of income.What if I want to leave early?Some of our tenancy agreements have break options written into them enabling you, or us, to bring them to an end ahead of the natural agreement expiry date. Some of our tenancy agreements do not feature break options throughout but offer an initial ‘cooling off’ period whereby you can give 6 months’ notice anytime during the first 6 months of your agreement. This enables you to gain a good understanding of the business before deciding to remain for the full 5 years.Leases do not feature break clause. If you have a lease you will need to arrange to sell on the agreement (via assignment) should you not wish to stay until the natural expiry date.How much money do I need to become a Pub Partner?As you might expect, running your own pub involves a number of costs. These really vary depending on the type of agreement you take on, combined with other factors like the size, style and location of the pub. We advertise all our sites in a clear and simple format – search available pubs here. For more help, pick up the phone and chat to our recruitment team on 03333 200 036.Do I need to have experience running a pub?Previous experience of running a pub will help you along but it’s not essential. Any experience of running your own business and managing accounts, profit and loss, and stock control, will also help you. More importantly, we recognise passion, ambition, vision and commitment in our Pub Partners. We offer a wide range of support and training services to help both new and experienced partners make their business a success.How much money can I expect to earn?Being self-employed is very different to receiving a regular salary, whilst there is some risk, there is the prospect of even greater reward. Again, the style of pub and how you choose to run your business will affect your profit. It’s important that you enter the business with a realistic view of potential performance. Your Regional Manager will give you the trading history of the pub you are interested in, and as you start to build your business plan, you will establish realistic projections.Do you offer discounts on other goods and services?With Stonegate Group’s buying power we’re proud to offer you a range of services to help you run a successful business at discounted rates, saving you money on your bottom line.Can you run a pub with no experience?The simple answer is yes. If you have had experience of working in, or running a pub before that’s great, but it’s not a requirement. The most important qualities you need are dedication, determination, and a passion to make your business succeed. Being a great people person and adapting yourself to work with a variety of customers is vital. Versatility is also key, as is understanding stock control, financial management, legal information and how to staff your pub.Once I’ve applied on the website, what happens next?We will be in touch within three working days to register your interest. Following this, we will set you up with the relevant team member for an informal chat to get to know you and learn more about what you are looking for in a pub. The process takes place over two stages, in which you’ll need to complete a business plan. If there aren’t currently any pubs you are interested in, or we decide you might be best suited to another pub, we will work with you to find that perfect opportunity.

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The ideal operator for our distinguished pub in Knutsford, Cheshire, should be a seasoned hotelier with a proven track record in managing high-quality establishments. This individual will bring a wealth of experience in both the hospitality and culinary sectors, ensuring that our pub not only meets but exceeds the expectations of our discerning guests.

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Key Qualifications and Experience

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Extensive Hospitality Experience: The operator should have significant experience managing hotels and pubs, particularly those with an integrated food and beverage service. Experience in establishments with boutique hotel rooms is a must, demonstrating an ability to deliver exceptional guest experiences from check-in to check-out.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Culinary and Beverage Expertise: A strong background in food and beverage management is essential. The operator should be adept at curating diverse and appealing menus, managing kitchen operations, and maintaining high standards of food quality and presentation. Additionally, they should possess a keen knowledge of beverages, including an extensive range of wines, spirits, and craft beers.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Local Knowledge: Familiarity with the Knutsford area and its local market is crucial. The operator should have insights into local preferences, seasonal trends, and community events, allowing them to tailor offerings and marketing strategies effectively.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Team Leadership: The ideal candidate will have experience in leading a large team, including chefs, waitstaff, housekeeping, and front desk personnel. Strong leadership skills and the ability to inspire and manage a team are vital for maintaining the high standards of service our pub is known for.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Customer Focused: A deep commitment to customer satisfaction is essential. The operator should have a history of delivering outstanding guest experiences, handling customer feedback proactively, and consistently enhancing service quality.

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Personal Attributes

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Passionate and Innovative: The operator should have a passion for hospitality and a flair for innovation, always seeking new ways to enhance the guest experience and stay ahead of industry trends.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Organized and Detail-Oriented: Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail are necessary to manage the diverse aspects of the pub, from room bookings and food service to events and marketing.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Excellent Communicator: Strong communication skills are crucial for interacting with guests, managing staff, and liaising with suppliers and local businesses.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Community-Oriented: The operator should be community-minded, actively engaging with local events and initiatives, and fostering strong relationships within Knutsford.

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Responsibilities

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Overseeing daily operations of the pub, including the hotel rooms, restaurant, and bar.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Ensuring high standards of cleanliness, safety, and customer service.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Managing and training a large team of staff to maintain efficient and friendly service.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Developing and implementing marketing strategies to attract guests and build a loyal customer base.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Curating and updating the food and drinks menu to reflect local tastes and seasonal ingredients.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Monitoring financial performance, including budgeting, cost control, and revenue management.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Engaging with guests to gather feedback and continuously improve the overall experience.

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By bringing together experience, local insight, and a passion for excellence, the ideal operator will help our pub in Knutsford continue to thrive as a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike.

Cross Keys Hotel Knutsford

Nestled in the heart of the affluent area of Knutsford, Cheshire, our Tudor-style pub exudes charm and elegance. Boasting 14&nbsp;exquisitely decorated and well-presented hotel rooms, each equipped with modern amenities and a cosy ambience, our establishment is perfect for a relaxing stay. Guests can indulge in a hearty breakfast each morning, setting a delightful tone for the day.

Our pub is renowned for its excellent food offerings, featuring a diverse menu that caters to all tastes, from traditional British fare to contemporary dishes crafted with the finest local ingredients. Complementing our food is a full drinks bar, stocked with an impressive range of beers, wines, spirits, and artisanal cocktails.

Located close to the stunning Tatton Park, our pub offers a serene and picturesque setting. The Tudor-style exterior adds a touch of historical charm, while the spacious beer garden provides a lovely space for al fresco dining and drinking. We proudly welcome dogs, making it an ideal spot for pet owners to unwind with their furry friends.

Guests can enjoy free WiFi throughout the property, ensuring they stay connected while enjoying their time with us. With a commitment to cleanliness and value for money, our pub stands out as a premier destination for both locals and visitors seeking a memorable experience in Knutsford.

Ever dreamt of being your own boss, running a thriving pub, and shaping a vibrant community hub? Partnering with Stonegate, the UK&#39;s largest pub company, makes that dream a reality. We offer the best of both worlds: self-employment with the unwavering support of a dedicated team, from regional managers to a network of experienced publicans in your region. From free BII membership to unlock industry insights, to a diverse portfolio offering the perfect pub for your vision, Stonegate empowers you to maximize endless profit opportunities. Plus, our flexible tenancy agreements ensure you have the control you need to succeed.

About the Pub

Key Features

Business & Financial Information

Ideal Operator

Private Accommodation

Regional Manager's Thoughts

Surrounding Area

Resources

FAQs

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