How do I hand over my pub to a new owner?

A pub runs on habits that live in the owner’s head: which tap sticks, who orders the kegs, which regular needs a quiet word. Once the sale is agreed, a useful step for the buyer is to write those habits down and pass them on in person.

Write the run-sheet

Put a day in the life of the pub on paper. Cover opening and closing, cash handling, cleaning, deliveries, and what to do when the kitchen or the cooler fails. Add the phone numbers of repair people you trust. Ask a long-serving staff member to read it and fix what you missed. The sheet gives the buyer a reference for the first months at a pub.

Introduce the people

Bring the buyer in to meet the staff, brewery and food reps, the draught-line cleaner and the league and event organizers who use the room. Tell the regulars who is coming and when, so the change feels planned rather than sudden. Agree with the buyer what you will say, and when, so staff hear it from you first.

Pass over systems and know-how

• Point-of-sale logins, menus, price lists and reports.
• Recipes, prep notes and how specials are planned.
• Supplier accounts, order days and delivery contacts.
• Social media, booking and event calendar access.

Agree a training period and ask about the licence

Put the length and terms of your help in the sale agreement, including what you will do, how often, and what happens if the buyer needs more. Questions about moving the liquor licence and any other permits belong with your lawyer; ask the liquor licensing authority that issued the licence what it requires.