How to become a publicans and manager of licensed premises
Official title: Publicans and managers of licensed premises
Also called: Manager, Publican, Pub manager, Area manager, Shift manager, Retail manager, Wine bar manager, Licensee manager, Publican-licensee, Social club manager, Licensed victualler, Public house manager
Publicans and managers of licensed premises organise, direct and co-ordinate the activities and resources of public houses (non-residential and residential) and bar and catering facilities at non-residential clubs.
Main tasks
- Arranges purchase of alcoholic and other beverages, bar snacks, cigarettes and other items and ensures that stocks are stored in proper conditions
- Supervises bar, kitchen and cleaning staff and, if necessary, assists with the serving of drinks
- Observes licensing laws and other statutory regulations and regulates behaviour of customers as necessary
- Maintains financial records for the establishment determines financial, staffing, material and other short- and long-term needs
How to become one
No formal academic qualifications are required. Relevant experience is advantageous, and candidates must be over 18 years of age and complete the personal licence holders’ qualification. Larger chains offer accelerated promotion for holders of degrees or equivalent qualifications. Off and on-the-job training is provided. NVQs/SVQs relevant to licensed premises management are available at levels 2 to 4.
Pay · Outlook
- Median full-time pay: £38,043 a year
- About 25,400 people work in this job now, and about 29,400 are projected by 2035. (+15.6%)
Related jobs
- Hotel and accommodation managers and proprietors
- Restaurant and catering establishment managers and proprietors
- Leisure and sports managers and proprietors
- Travel agency managers and proprietors
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Questions people ask
How do I become a publicans and manager of licensed premises?
No formal academic qualifications are required. Relevant experience is advantageous, and candidates must be over 18 years of age and complete the personal licence holders’ qualification. Larger chains offer accelerated promotion for holders of degrees or equivalent qualifications. Off and on-the-job training is provided. NVQs/SVQs relevant to licensed premises management are available at levels 2 to 4.
How much does a publicans and manager of licensed premises earn in the UK?
Median full-time pay is £38,043 a year (Office for National Statistics).
Is a publicans and manager of licensed premises a growing career in the UK?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 16% by 2035, from about 25,400 to about 29,400 people (Department for Education).
Do you need a degree to become a publicans and manager of licensed premises?
Not always. 31% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03