I would like to thank my wife, Michaela, for her assistance with editing this book and her patience and understanding during the many hours that I left her alone while I sat in front of the PC to write another few pages.

Thanks to my family, friends and colleagues who have given me encouragement along the way.

I am also grateful to HM Revenue and Customs, Business Link, The Food Standards Agency, ACAS, The Portman Group, The Performing Right Society, Phonographic Performance Limited, and The Health and Safety Executive, for assistance with my research for this book.

This book is aimed at anyone who is thinking about running their own pub. It has been written to guide would-be publicans through the process of finding a suitable pub, setting up their business and running a successful enterprise. It will also be useful to inexperienced publicans wanting to learn more about making their own pub business a success.

Running a successful pub is not simply about having an outgoing personality and being able to pull a pint. A successful pub must first and foremost be a successful business, and publicans must equip themselves with a range of business skills and knowledge with this in mind. Fortunately, these skills and knowledge can be learned through attending training courses, coaching, reading books, by using the internet and through membership of professional organisations.

This book sets out to provide would-be and inexperienced publicans with a broad understanding of all aspects of running a pub, together with numerous ways to maximise sales, control costs, make more profit and, at the same time, abide by legislation that applies to running a pub. It also provides details of where to find more information and develop a greater understanding of the subjects covered.

I hope you will find How to Run a Successful Pub a useful and informative guide.

Good luck in your new venture!