Thetownend.com

Ok, I am nearly 30 now and having worked in Office jobs for pretty much all my life I am thinking of changing career.

My dream is to own and run a bar abroad (was thinking France). My mate, has the same dream as me and together would like to go into partnership.

The problem is that we are both in the same boat and we know absolutely nothing about running a business. I have no debt and getting togeher cash shouldn't be a problem as I am earning decent money over here.

The plan is to find somewhere in a coastal town in France which attracts plenty of tourists, obviously showing sport will be the major draw, our aim is to show whatever sport people want to watch.

Pipe Dream?

Anyone know anything at all about this, where to start etc?

A quick google of "buying a pub abroad" brings up this article in The Publican. Looks pretty good.

http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?storyCode=56393

I too want to own a pub one day, my old man's already said he's going to buy one as his retirement plan.

hate to put a downer on the dream but don't one in three new bunieess fail in the first year? I think the rate of faluire is even higher for new pubs/resturants.

but if you wanna lose money and a freiend then go for it!

Which means that 2 in 3 succeed in the first year.

In that case 2/3 work.

i know nothing about running a business or owning a bar but i say go for it.

if after a year it's shit you go back to a normal job or try something different.
people that stand there telling you it'll fail ignore cos you don't know until you try.

good luck to you if you decide to go for it

I'm in the process of setting up my own business at the moment with a friend, obviously you're not in the position where you can network whilst freelancing (we're web and application developers, I won't use this as an opportunity for a cheap plug!) but I say go for it.

I've spent many many years in France over the er, years, and you have to remember that the Brits will only keep you going on-season, off-season you'll need to attract the yocals pretty much wherever you are. I'd setup in an area popular with Brits however, Brittany is a really pleasant part of France and there's a large expat community over there, including plumbing/gardening, IT/satellite TV bods etc that can help you out, plus Bretons have an affiliation with the British whereas other areas, particularly the south, are slightly more weary towards us. Also property in Brittany is quite reasonably priced, but don't move there for the weather as it shares a climate with Cornwall, rain rain and rain. It shares all the other benefits of France however, dirt cheap booze and top quality nosh.

There's a few touristy towns in Brittany that you could have a butchers at, Binic is one I particularly like and a few others, anyhow I think this is turning into an essay, give me a shout if you need 'owt.

EDIT: just noticed you're in Lux so you probably knew all of that, ohwell!

Go for it, you are only 30, do it now and good luck, you will need luck and hard work, but if you really want it and you have the finances in place then you are 50% of the way there.

If you haven't already done so do a few shifts in a busy bar as it's not half as much fun as you imagine.

Even having a few yourself watching people get drunk is not much fun after a while.  

Go for it though if it goes tits up you've at least tried and old Blighty is not going to go away in the meantime.

Thanks for all of the advice, as I said, it is only a thought at the moment, just wanted to canvas opinions!

go for it in LeTouquet

lovely seaside town plus you can also cater for the brit golfers that frequent the courses all year round


Bobs your Orange Uncle so to speak

If you have enough cash why have a look at your chosen location off-peak and make a call if it's worth opening.

One chap I met in Thailand had a bar in Spain (I think) which he ran in the summer and then buggered out to Thailand in the winter where the cost of living is cheaper and he had a couple of bars and accomodation that ticked over and ran themselves.

Good luck fella. I have recently started my own business as well and its hard work!
You will need all the luck you can get if its DJ that you are gonna go into business with!!! :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Invite all the TEF boozers to the opening celebrations, cannot fail!!  Was especially thinking about Ralphy!

Well it could do baring in mind that he'll probably owe everyone pints for coming, or at least they'll say he does, and then request beers free.  :D

Call it Club Tropicana.

and make the drinks free.

makes sure there is fun and sunshine, and enough for everyone

And invite a celebrity to the opening, maybe George Michael.

That sounds like the ideal holiday for both Birdy and Sussex

Absolutely perfect. So long as I wasn't going.

Hardly! He's the laziest person on the planet!