Taking the leap to run your own pub is exciting, but let’s be honest, it comes with costs. Whether you're just starting to dream or you're actively preparing to take on a site, having a savings plan can help turn your goal into a reality.
That’s why we’ve created a simple Pub Savings Planner to help you stay focused, motivated, and on track.
Running a pub isn’t like applying for a regular job. It’s a business, and just like any business, you’ll need to cover some upfront costs before you can get going. These include things like your deposit, agreement fee, and early contributions toward rent and maintenance.
Planning your savings ahead of time can:
Help you avoid financial stress down the line
Give you a clear timeline for when you’ll be ready to take on a pub
Break a big goal into smaller, achievable steps
The exact costs vary depending on the type of pub and agreement you take on, but here are some common examples:
Full Deposit: A refundable deposit to secure the site.
Agreement Fee: An admin charge for setting up your pub agreement.
Fixtures and Fittings: A one-off cost to cover the equipment inside the pub.
Repair Fund: A weekly contribution to ongoing upkeep.
Initial Rent: Typically paid weekly, but you should aim to cover the first few months while you get established.
Having a clear sense of these estimated costs will help you set a realistic savings target.
We’ve broken things down into categories so you can:
Set a savings target for each cost
Track what you’ve saved so far
See what’s still left to go
Stay focused on one step at a time
This visual approach makes your progress easy to see and celebrate. Plus, it gives you a ready-made overview if you decide to speak with a financial advisor or pub company rep.
Your journey might look different depending on your personal situation. You might:
Save gradually over several months
Team up with a partner to share the investment
Start with a smaller site and grow from there
No matter your approach, planning puts you in the driver’s seat. Even if you’re not ready to make the leap just yet, using the planner keeps your dream alive and moving.
Not sure where to start? Here’s a simple savings table you can copy or recreate in a notebook, spreadsheet, or budgeting app. Tailor the categories and targets to fit your own goals: