Post by Chris_Sav on Apr 10, 2008 9:32:57 GMT
This subject needs discussing in detail with the experience there is around the various leagues, practical, financial and legal.
Simon Tinto and I had a long conversation on this and our views were identical. I will post our thoughts here and hope others can add their experience to form a complete package.
My belief is that individuals (landlords or players) owning pub tables is not the way forward. If leagues are to be saved this is not the way to do it. Landlords and players change and you will lose tables. There will, most likely, never be another new venue as the start-up costs and business prognosis are prohibitive. We have to look long term and not short term crisis management.
If AEBBA cannot take the lead in this, leagues must. If leagues run a pool of tables then the stock is there to put tables in new venues. Table co-ops can be non profit making and offer landlords much better deals than the rental companies, for example straight profit share.
Basic points
1) Form a Table Company with bank account etc.
2) Fund the initial purchase with loans to the company.
3) Repay the loans as income comes in.
4) Sell investment bonds to smaller investors if cashflow remains an initial problem.
5) Form an expertise group for table maintenance. Bar Billiards Ltd have offered an open day in Ascot and I and Mario (hopefully) can demonstrate repair and refurbishment of tables.
6) A small pool of spares, especially clocks, could be shared between companies.
7) Don't forget non league tables if finances allow.
8) Offer landlords the deals they used to get, and like, of straight sharing, no rental.
9) Make sure your venues have insurance and public liability insurance.
10) Ensure you have proof of ownership in case the pub goes bankrupt.
One problem highlighted is the chain pubs that have preferred rental suppliers. They may have to go their own way.
Guernsey run their own tables and may have input to this idea.
Leagues must remember landlords are protective of their patches and you cannot go in making demands, it is a chance to negotiate better protection for tables that get dragged around.
I firmly believe we have a glorious opportunity to slow, if not halt, the decline in our game. Talk to your leagues and especially your landlords before irreversible decisions are made. The future is in your hands. Be proactive or die!
Sav.
Simon Tinto and I had a long conversation on this and our views were identical. I will post our thoughts here and hope others can add their experience to form a complete package.
My belief is that individuals (landlords or players) owning pub tables is not the way forward. If leagues are to be saved this is not the way to do it. Landlords and players change and you will lose tables. There will, most likely, never be another new venue as the start-up costs and business prognosis are prohibitive. We have to look long term and not short term crisis management.
If AEBBA cannot take the lead in this, leagues must. If leagues run a pool of tables then the stock is there to put tables in new venues. Table co-ops can be non profit making and offer landlords much better deals than the rental companies, for example straight profit share.
Basic points
1) Form a Table Company with bank account etc.
2) Fund the initial purchase with loans to the company.
3) Repay the loans as income comes in.
4) Sell investment bonds to smaller investors if cashflow remains an initial problem.
5) Form an expertise group for table maintenance. Bar Billiards Ltd have offered an open day in Ascot and I and Mario (hopefully) can demonstrate repair and refurbishment of tables.
6) A small pool of spares, especially clocks, could be shared between companies.
7) Don't forget non league tables if finances allow.
8) Offer landlords the deals they used to get, and like, of straight sharing, no rental.
9) Make sure your venues have insurance and public liability insurance.
10) Ensure you have proof of ownership in case the pub goes bankrupt.
One problem highlighted is the chain pubs that have preferred rental suppliers. They may have to go their own way.
Guernsey run their own tables and may have input to this idea.
Leagues must remember landlords are protective of their patches and you cannot go in making demands, it is a chance to negotiate better protection for tables that get dragged around.
I firmly believe we have a glorious opportunity to slow, if not halt, the decline in our game. Talk to your leagues and especially your landlords before irreversible decisions are made. The future is in your hands. Be proactive or die!
Sav.
