Understand the position
Clear information before you decide what to do next
Pub and bar insolvency advice covering rent, tax, tied agreements, licences, staff, stock and rescue or closure options.
- Review venue level trading and weekly cash flow
- Check lease, licence and supplier commitments
- Compare operational rescue, sale and closure
Understand the pressure behind the venue
Wet and dry margins, staffing, energy, rent, business rates, card settlements and VAT should be reviewed week by week. Turnover alone can hide a venue that is steadily losing cash.
Contracts can shape the available options
Leases, tied supply arrangements, equipment finance, premises licences and personal guarantees can affect whether the business can be restructured, sold or closed. Each commitment should be identified before negotiations begin.
Protect value while a decision is made
Stock, bookings, deposits, staff information and licence records need careful control. A viable venue may have restructuring or sale options, while an unviable company may require an orderly insolvency process.
Practical next steps
What to prepare now
A clearer picture helps the first conversation focus on realistic options.
- Prepare weekly sales and gross margin figures
- List rent, rates, tax and supplier arrears
- Gather lease, licence and tied agreement documents
- Review the venue before taking further credit
Common questions
Pub and Bar Insolvency Advice FAQs
Can a pub keep trading while advice is taken?
Possibly, where continued trade has a reasonable basis and is not expected to worsen creditor losses. Cash flow should be monitored closely.
What happens to the premises licence?
Licensing consequences depend on the procedure, licence holder and proposed outcome. Specialist licensing advice may be required alongside insolvency advice.
Can a tied supply agreement be ended?
That depends on the contract, lease and insolvency route. The agreement should be reviewed before assumptions are made about future purchasing.
What happens to staff if the venue closes?
Employment normally ends on closure. Eligible employees may claim certain statutory payments, subject to the applicable rules.
Can the pub business be sold?
A sale may be possible where the venue is operationally viable and the lease, licence, assets and funding can be dealt with.
How are customer deposits and event bookings treated?
Accurate records should be preserved. Their treatment depends on whether bookings can be fulfilled and the formal procedure used.
Can HMRC agree a payment plan?
HMRC may consider Time to Pay where the proposal is affordable and ongoing taxes can be maintained. Agreement is not automatic.
Do personal guarantees end if the company closes?
No. A valid personal guarantee is separate from the company debt and may be enforced against the guarantor.
This page provides general information and is not legal, tax or financial advice. The right action depends on the company’s circumstances. Formal insolvency procedures must be handled by an appropriately authorised professional.
