Careers Help
Background
The licensed retail sector currently employs over 900,000 people and is worth £23 billion. There are around 155,000 premises in the UK ranging from sleepy country local pubs to ultra-modern city centre venues, from hidden-treasures known only to a loyal band of customers to internationally famous nightclubs and from small, family run shops to large well known retailers.
How can BII help me?
If you decide to enter the sector, BII is here to help you at every stage of your career. We offer a broad range of qualifications, through BIIAB, to help you run your business in the most profitable way (Further details about BIIAB qualifications). Members of BII also have access to a number of business and personal benefits. Click here to find out more about BII membership.
So how do I get started?
Working in such a varied sector requires flexibility; hard work and enthusiasm but it can be very rewarding. There are big salaries to be earned too with successful managers often earning around £40,000 - £50,000. If you think this industry might be the right one for you there a number of routes you could take to get started:
- There are a number of BIIAB qualifications that can support barstaff in their career progression. Click here for details.
- Barstaff can become shift managers then assistant managers. From there (and usually after a period as a relief manager) you can go on to managing your own bar. Click here for more details about BIIAB Management Development qualifications.
- You don't have to start out behind the bar, many pub management companies and breweries offer management training schemes for people who want to get into the industry as assistant managers. Click here for more details about BIIAB Management Development qualifications.
- Alternatively, if you have some capital to invest up front you might choose to take a tenancy or lease. Tenants and lessees are self employed people who have signed an agreement with someone who owns a pub (such as a brewery or a pub management company). A tenancy or lease allows more autonomy but provides less support than pub management so many people choose to get some experience before investing their own money. Click here for more details about BIIAB qualifications for licensees.
If you would like to know more about getting into the licensed retail sector why not contact Springboard UK http://www.springboarduk.org.uk the careers advice service for the hospitality industry.
