Former pub managers, Ali and Alan Coughlin made the jump into self-employment by taking their first tenancy at the Bulls Head, Frodsham with Red Oak Taverns. Having 19 years of pub management expertise and experience they literally grabbed the opportunity by its horns and transformed the pub inside and out. An investment from Red Oak of £80,000 and committing £12,000 themselves has enabled them to completely renovate the pub’s interior and exterior. All the furniture has been upgraded with an entire redecoration. The kitchen has been upgraded and a new sheltered seating area has been built and named the “Cow Shed”.
Speaking about her experience of taking her first tenancy with Red Oak, Ali says, “I wish I had done this earlier. It has been great having the flexibility and freedom that Red Oak provides and with the principles I’ve gained from operating a managed business for so long, I’ve been able to hit the ground running and stand on my own two feet to make the business my own and create something special for the community”.
Ali and Alan’s agreement is a partially tied tenancy granted on a “Try before you Buy” option. She added, “With Red Oak we were able to run the pub on a temporary agreement to make sure we were happy with the pub and how things worked with Red Oak. Our draught beers and ales are tied but the range that Red Oak offers by not being restricted to a particular brewery is so much more so I’ve got the products I wanted to introduce on the bar. I’m free of tie on wines, spirits and minerals so this provides additional flexibility. Having the freedom at the beginning of an agreement gives you peace of mind that you are making the right decision without any pressure.”
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