Wanted - visionary pub landlords. Apply within.

Can't remember if I mentioned but in July I'm moving on from my current church job. Now, this turn of events leaves me in a very interesting situation. On one hand it's pretty terrifying, as for the first time in my life the future is uncertain and suddenly I'm experiencing a disconcerting vulnerability. On the other hand it's amazingly exciting as it means the bar church vision is a real possibility!

It also means that some time soon I have to make some decisions. In an ideal world, I would be pursuing the vision in partnership with someone who has both experience and qualification in licensed retail management (the jargon just drips from my tongue now!), but as we all know this world is seldom ideal and I'm not. Therefore, for the time being at least i have to assume I'll be both running the business AND shepherding the flock (jargon works both ways). Problem: theological training I have, bar management training I have not. The obvious solution? Get some training.

I've done a lot of research into how to do this and there is one organisation, the BII (British Institute of Inkeepers), which runs 'industry standard' courses for experience and qualifications. There are dozens of these courses covering everything from stock control to cooking theory to door supervision, but at the very least there are two courses that seem vital, the licensing qualification itself and 'introduction to licensed retail operations'. In total these two alone cost almost 600 squid (which is not an insignificant amount of money), but they're necessary.

With everything changing in July I have a chance to go all out for this, to do the courses and try get some experience in a bar/pub somewhere. The step is obviosuly a huge one, meaning a complete career change (while I get some experience at least) and a sizable financial investment (the training). Things are starting to get serious.

Any visionaries out there fancy being a bar manager? Any takers?

Anyone?

Location, Location, Location!

As I think about and research this whole bar-owning business (literally!), it seems that one of the most important factors is that of location. In this economic climate where folk have very little money to spend on stuff, the place where a pub/bar/restaurant is situated becomes paramount. Do the residents in the vicinity want random, fairly-traded ales, or are would they be much more happy with a pint of Stella? This is where the whole 'market research' thing comes in (see, I know all the lingo!) and I'm pretty sure this should be a high priority on my to do list.

I'll be honest, I'm a city boy. I love everything about the city, the busy-ness, the excitement, the people, the energy. For me, the nearer I can be to where all the action is happening the better. With this in mind, it probably comes as no surprise that my first thoughts are to look at a city centre location, or at least a relatively central suburb. I think my grand plans plans for something a bit alternative would work best here.

So here's the dilemma. I recently met up with a friend who is a very successful businessman and is very interested in my idea. He immediately caught the vision for a pub that was run along ethical lines and aimed at doing good in the community, even to the extent of hinting at financial investment!!! Money! Awesome!!! However, as the conversation progressed it became apparent that our visions differed in one small but crucial way - he envisaged a traditional country pub, not a contemporary, city-centre bar.

This leaves me with a big question - if pushed, do I abandon the original vision in order to get the money, or do I turn down my first sniff at serious financial backing in order to retain the integrity of the concept? This is not an easy one, as I don't want to be so arrogant as to refuse to listen to the ideas and thoughts of those who are successful in business, plus I can see that his ideas could have a lot of potential. I've been thinking about this a lot, but in the end there is one consideration that I think tips the balance:

Hot Fuzz. I don't want to be stabbed by a psychotic, knife wielding octogenarian.

City centre it is then.

I'll outline to him in more detail exactly what I plan and hope he will still be interested in supporting me, but we'll have to wait and see.

The road goes ever on and on...

This blog is dedicated to one thing - documenting the highs and lows, fun and frolics of trying to plant a church community that meets in cafe/bar/pub that is owned...by me. Or us. Possibly.

There are two obvious issues with this grand vision. Issue the first - I have no people. Issue the second - I have no bar. However, sometimes you gotta jump off the proverbial cliff to discover whether or not there is an invisible bridge underneath you, so in the words of Richard Branson, "screw it, let's do it."

At this stage it might be worth giving something of my credentials. I am a Baptist Minister in Cardiff and until August this year, I was the leader of an emerging church that met in various bars/pubs in the city centre. After four and a half years this wonderful roller coaster of a ride has sadly come to an end, but onwards and upwards! I believe that God might be leading me into this next adventure and I aim to push every door until they are all firmly shut in my face.

If anybody sees fit to pay this little record of randomness any attention, I would be VERY grateful for any comments, queries, suggestions, ideas or financial contributions you deem led to bless me with! Well...if you don't ask you don't get (and usually it helps if you use spiritual jargon).