Most venues we work at on a regular basis give hirers the opportunity to employ caterers, bar contractors, entertainers etc of their choice. At Barflies Bars, we compete with other suppliers for this type of business.

Other souces of business at village and community halls, public buildings, stately homes, colleges, specialist wedding venues etc include:

ONE-OFF RECOMMENDATION

Some venue managers recognise the advantages of allowing hirers to select contractors of their choice, but are happy to recommend Barflies Bars to those who require a fully-stocked mobile bar, but are not sure who to approach.

We have worked at many venues over a number of years, and managers can be sure that Barflies Bars will take good care of their facilities, and leave the bar area exactly as they found it. We remove our equipment, clean all work surfaces,  mop floors and empty bins. Whilst we cannot assume responsibility for communal areas, we do ensure that all our glasses, bottles etc are collected at the end of the function, and taken away for recycling wherever possible.

PREFERRED SUPPLIER

There are differing standards amongst mobile bar contractors, as with any other businesses.

Some venue managers prefer to have one or more "preferred suppliers" for different business sectors, so they know who they are working with, and what level of service they can expect. Barflies Bars are pleased to work with any event venue on this basis, and will endeavour to meet, and hopefully exceed, their expectations. 

We are happy to discuss paying a commission for regular business, passed to us on a "preferred supplier" basis. Such payment has to take into account the frequency of events and the size of functions.

EXCLUSIVE SUPPLIER

A small, but increasing, number of site managers, especially those responsible for larger community facilities, local authority buildings and specialist wedding venues, prefer to work with just one designated facilities provider. They award an exclusive contract to a supplier, for a certain period of time, provided both parties fulfil the requirements of the contract.

Barflies Bars are happy to enter into an exclusive arrangement with any vanue manager, where appropriate. However, we do need to establish the level of business, and the likely number of occasions on which, due to our exclusive arrangement, we would be called upon to provide facilities for very small functions which, on their own, would not be financially viable.

We are happy to negotiate a split in profits between Barflies Bars and the venue management. As a rough guide, we would generally pay 10% of gross takings (not net profit!) to the venue, although this could be more, if the number of events for small functions (less than 100 adult guests) were minimal. Unfortunately, we have substantial fixed costs and, unlike caterers, entertainers etc, are dependent upon indeterminate bar takings to meet these overheads and hopefully produce an operating profit.

LICENSING ACT (2003): TEMORARY EVENT NOTICES

Unless in possession of a current Premises Licence for the sale of alcohol, the Licensing Act (2003) specifies that no more than 12 licensable events, covering no more than 15 days, can take place at a venue in any calendar year. There are exceptions, if only parts of the premises are used for different functions (Barflies Bars can give advice). Licensable activities are not restricted to the sale of alcohol, but cover regulated entertainment and late night food sales as well.

Many communal facilities are licensed for public entertainment, but not for the sale of alcohol. This means they can only offer facilities for "pay bars" on 12 occasions during each year. Functions where alcohol is provided free of charge are exempt from the provisions of the Licensing Act (2003).

These restrictions can potentially lead to a loss of business for venues, hence a reduction in vital funding.

Some venues, especially those who have established bar facilities on site, have obtained the relevant Premises Licence, and appointed a "Designated Premises Supervisor", to oversee the provision of licenseable activities on site. However, this is expensive, and needs the agreement of a responsible person, with a Personal Licence for the sale of alcohol, to accept responsibility for the conduct of each event and compliance with relevant legislation.

Where the level of business at a venue justifies this, Barflies Bars are happy to enter into a joint venture with venue managers, whereby we contribute towards the cost of a full Premises Licence, and provide a suitably qualified and experienced member of our team to take on the role of "Designated  Premises Supervisor". For obvious reasons, this is dependent upon Barflies Bars being appointed exclusive bar providers for the duration of the agreement.

If you are the manager of an event venue, and would like to explore ways in which Barflies Bars could make an impact on your venue, please contact us.