Pub Turnaround Specialist

Pub Turnaround Specialist: Stop the Losses, Restore Profitability

Your pub is bleeding money. I fix that. 35 years at Wetherspoons and Stonegate taught me exactly why pubs fail and how to turn them around fast. I work with struggling licensees and pub groups across the UK to stop losses within weeks and restore profitability within 90 days.

35 Years in Licensed Trade
50+ Pubs Turned Around
90 Days to Profitability
The Problem

Why Pubs Fail: The Warning Signs I See Every Week

After 35 years managing pubs for Wetherspoons and Stonegate, I've seen the same patterns destroy hundreds of venues. The pubs that fail aren't unlucky. They're bleeding money in predictable, fixable ways that most operators can't see until it's too late.

GP erosion through poor stock control

Wastage, over-pouring, and theft can cost a busy pub £2,000+ per month. Most operators underestimate losses by 40%.

Labour costs eating into every pound

Overstaffing during quiet periods, understaffing during rushes. Wrong rotas destroy both margins and customer experience.

Menu engineering failures

Low-margin dishes promoted, high-margin items buried. Kitchen wastage from poor ordering. Food GP below 60% when it should be 65-70%.

Management blind spots

Owners too close to the operation to see what's wrong. Staff issues ignored. Customer complaints not reaching decision-makers.

If any of this sounds familiar, your pub is probably losing more money than you realise. The good news: these problems are fixable, usually within 90 days.

The Fix

How I Turn Around Underperforming Pubs

I don't give advice from a distance. I come into your pub, work alongside your team, and implement changes that show results within weeks. My approach is built on what actually works in high-pressure, high-volume pub environments.

1
Stop the bleeding (Week 1-2)

Full stock audit. Identify where money is walking out the door. Implement controls that recover losses immediately. Typical saving: 3-5% GP improvement.

2
Fix the operation (Week 2-6)

Rota optimisation. Menu re-engineering. Staff training on upselling and service standards. Supplier renegotiation where needed.

3
Build sustainable systems (Week 6-12)

Install the monitoring and management systems used by major pub companies. Train your team to maintain standards after I leave.

Who I Work With

Is Your Pub a Good Fit?

I work with licensees, pub owners, and pub groups across the UK who know something is wrong but can't pinpoint what. If your pub is losing money, underperforming against its potential, or you're too close to the operation to see clearly, I can help.

I'm a good fit if:

  • Your pub is losing money or margins are shrinking
  • You've tried fixes that haven't worked
  • You need someone who'll implement, not just advise
  • You want enterprise-level systems without the corporate overhead

My background:

  • 35 years in the licensed trade
  • Senior management at Wetherspoons and Stonegate
  • Turned around 50+ venues from London to Scotland
  • Experience with wet-led locals, food-led gastros, and high-volume city sites
Services

Pub Turnaround Services

Three ways to work with me, depending on how much support you need and how fast you need results.

01

Pub Health Check

For: Pubs that suspect problems but need clarity on what's wrong and what to fix first.

I spend 2 days in your venue analysing every aspect of the operation. You get a written report with specific problems identified and a prioritised action plan you can implement yourself.

  • Full wet and dry GP analysis
  • Stock control and wastage audit
  • Labour cost and rota review
  • Written action plan with quick wins

Duration: 2 days on-site

From £1,200 + travel expenses

Book Health Check
03

Interim Management

For: Pubs in crisis, management transitions, or situations requiring full-time leadership.

I take over day-to-day management of your venue with full P&L accountability. Ideal during turnarounds, while recruiting a new manager, or for distressed acquisitions.

  • Full operational control
  • P&L accountability and reporting
  • Staff recruitment and restructuring
  • Supplier negotiation and contracts
  • Exit plan and handover training

Duration: Typically 3-6 months

Pricing on assessment

Discuss Requirements
Results

Pub Turnaround Case Studies

Real results from pubs I've turned around. Names changed for confidentiality, but the numbers are real.

Managed House Turnaround

City Centre High-Volume Pub, Midlands

Before:

Losing £4,000/month. Wet GP at 52% (should be 62%+). Staff turnover 200%. Customer complaints rising. Regional team considering closure.

After 90 days:

Wet GP restored to 63%. Labour costs reduced 15%. Monthly profit £6,000+. Became one of region's strongest performers.

+11% GP improvement
£10k Monthly swing
Independent Pub Recovery

Village Free House, Yorkshire

Before:

Owner working 70+ hours/week, pub barely breaking even. No stock control systems. Staff serving shorts without measuring. Food wastage unknown.

After 60 days:

Stock control installed, wastage identified and stopped. Wet GP up 6%. Owner now works 45 hours/week with better profits than before.

+6% GP improvement
-25hrs Owner hours/week
Wetherspoons Regional Manager on a struggling Midlands site:
"We'd tried everything with this pub. Simon came in and within three months transformed it from our worst performer to one of our best. He found problems we'd missed for years."
Result: Loss-making pub to top 10% of region
Stonegate Area Manager on an urgent turnaround:
"When we need someone who can go in and fix a site fast, Simon is who we call. His GP work paid for itself in the first month. No consultants, just results."
Result: GP improvement covered costs within 4 weeks
Independent free house owner, Yorkshire:
"I was worried someone from the big pub companies wouldn't understand my business. Simon adapted everything to fit. I finally have systems that work without the corporate rubbish."
Result: Wet GP up 6%, owner hours down 25/week
Coming Soon

Get in Touch

Booking and enquiry details are coming soon. Check back shortly to book a free 30-minute assessment call — no obligation, no sales pitch.

Available for on-site visits anywhere in the UK.