Rates and Charges
The following page lays out our charges to subscribers and non-subscribers. We also have information on claiming costs and a comparison with other services further down the page so you can compare the differences and costs with other forms of business support.
| Service Category | Hourly Rate | What you get: | Your Investment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Podcast Extra & Pub Business Resources Subscriber | £n/a | Exclusive, on-demand access to a treasure trove of vital information on the PAS website. Dive into our extensive library of documents, videos, calculators, blogs, guides, and cutting-edge AI tools. This level is perfect for self-starters who want to be equipped with the best information at their fingertips. See page HERE | £20/month |
| Strategy & Consultation subscription | £n/a | Everything above, PLUS you’ll receive a discounted **one hour of dedicated, one-on-one consultation** each month via phone, email, or Zoom. Each month comes with a consultation allowance of up to 1 hour. This non-representative service provides direct support and tailored advice to help you navigate specific challenges, no third parties. See page HERE | £80/month |
| Full Client under a Letter of Engagement – (Subscribers only rate) | £80/hr | Strategy & Consultation – Longer consultations: this is the rate charged for any extra time/hours spent, or for consultations that exceed a monthly consultation allowance. It is a non-representative service that provides direct support and tailored advice to help you navigate specific challenges, with no third parties involved. Note: You must hold an active subscription to obtain this rate. | Billed per hour (fee caps and payment plans may be offered) |
| Full Client under a Letter of Engagement – (Non-subscriber or lapsed subscribers rate) | £200/hr | Strategy & Consultation – Longer consultations – this is the rate charged for non-subscribers or for any former PAS subscribers/returners who have not paid for a while and or cancelled a previous subscription. It is a non-representative service that provides direct support and tailored advice to help you navigate specific challenges, with no third parties involved. | Billed per hour (fee caps and payment plans may be offered) |
| Full Client under a Letter of Engagement | £220/hr | Representation casework, Pubs Code referrals, VOA check challenge appeals, detailed report writing, also engagement with Legal advisors and or other third parties. No subscription required See page HERE | Billed per hour (fee caps and payment plans may be offered) |
You can read our published terms HERE. You can hear from some of our customers HERE. Our Letters of engagement are not published on the site, but are available on request HERE
Cost Comparison: Pubs Advisory Service vs. a Solicitor
When facing a challenge in your pub business, it’s crucial to understand your options for professional support. While solicitors offer legal expertise, the Pubs Advisory Service (PAS) provides a specialized, cost-effective alternative focused specifically on the pub sector. This table breaks down the typical costs and services for both.
| Service/Cost | Pubs Advisory Service (PAS) | Solicitor (Specialist in Pub SECTOR) |
|---|---|---|
| General Business Advice & Strategy | Documents and calculators come with a monthly subscription (from £20/month). One-on-one consultations under a monthly subscription (£80/month) with extra hours billed at £80 per hour. Most situations are tackled under the £80/month service; our vast bank of cases and client work means we know exactly what to look for and what works, avoiding racking up lots of discovery or reading charges for clients. | Billed hourly, often with a minimum setup charge as high as £1000 to simply onboard a new client and read the agreement. Costs can range significantly (£250-£400+ per hour). Often starting from scratch and learning “on the job”. |
| Document Review & Drafting | Provided as part of the consultation service. Templates and guides are included with subscriptions. | Billed hourly, or sometimes as a fixed fee for specific documents. It can be costly and subject to complex billing. |
| Representation (e.g., Pubs Code, VOA appeals) | £220/hour under a Letter of Engagement. Focused on casework and formal representation. | Can range widely, often starting at £250-£450+ per hour for specialist solicitors, and can accrue quickly. |
| Ongoing Support & Access to Resources | Unlimited access to online resources, guides, and calculators is included with any subscription starting from just £20 per month. | No ongoing access to a library of resources. Each query or request for information is typically a new billable event and likely to be at least an hour at (£250-£450 per hour). |
| Payment Structure | Predictable monthly subscriptions or clear hourly rates with potential for fee caps and payment plans. | Often complex hourly billing, which can lead to unpredictable costs. |
Claiming Professional Service Costs for Your Business
As a business owner, you can often claim the costs of professional services as a deductible business expense. This means that the money you spend on our service can be used to reduce the amount of profit your business is taxed on, effectively lowering your tax bill.
Here’s a simple explanation of how it works:
- Deductible Expense: The fees for our professional service are considered a legitimate business expense by tax authorities. This is because the service is used to help you run and grow your business.
- Reducing Taxable Profit: At the end of your financial year, you calculate your total business income and subtract all of your eligible business expenses. The result is your “taxable profit.”
- Lowering Your Tax Bill: By including the cost of our service as an expense, you reduce your taxable profit. Since your tax is calculated as a percentage of your taxable profit, a lower profit means a lower tax bill.
Why this makes our service “very cost-effective”:
- You’re Not Paying the Full Price: While you pay us the full service fee upfront, a portion of that money comes back to you in the form of tax savings.
- The Government Subsidizes Your Investment: In a way, your tax savings mean the government is effectively “subsidizing” a portion of the cost of the professional service, making it a more affordable and worthwhile investment for your business.
How to claim the cost:
To ensure you can claim this expense, simply keep a record of your payments to us (e.g., invoices, receipts, bank statements). When you or your accountant prepare your year-end accounts, these costs will be included in the list of business expenses to be deducted from your total income.
We always recommend consulting with a qualified accountant or tax professional to ensure you are claiming all eligible expenses correctly and in line with the latest tax regulations.
Why Joining the Pubs Advisory Service Offers More Than Other Membership Organisations
In the world of pub tenancy and independent operation, support and advocacy are vital. While Organisations such as the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) have long been a recognised name in the licensed trade, the Pubs Advisory Service (PAS) is increasingly seen as the more transparent, effective, and independent choice for publicans seeking real help.
1. Independence vs. Industry Sponsorship
One of the most significant differences lies in independence and funding. PAS is not sponsored by pubcos or breweries nor do we derive any income from them, ensuring that its advice is impartial and solely in the interest of the publican. In contrast, BII memberships are often supplied at no cost as they are paid for by landlords and Pubcos, meaning tenants may be “members” without ever opting in themselves. It is fair to say you become an unwitting member by default if your landlord sponsors and or gives you a free membership, which in turn generates a large slice of commercial income for the Organisation handing out the membership. Pub companies also sponsor “industry” award events for many trade Organisations. Any close commercial relationship model raises concerns about the ability of organisations taking such money to truly represent tenant interests and or be free from the perception of bias.
2. Direct Support vs. Accreditation Schemes
PAS offers hands-on support, including: Monthly advice calls, emails and zooms – Business rates appeal assistance – Rent review tools – Legal templates and AI-powered support.
BII, on the other hand, has launched a network of accredited advisors, Chartered Surveyors, Accountants, and Solicitors who are vetted by expert panels. While this may sound robust, it creates a layer of separation between the member and the actual support, often requiring additional costs and referrals to access information and support.
3. Transparency and Accountability
PAS operates with full transparency. Service users and subscribers know exactly what they’re paying for, and receive direct access to resources and advice and what is being said in their name at all times.
4. Advocacy and Action
PAS is known for its active lobbying and casework and is not afriad to tackle the hard issues, we helped bring in two Pubs Codes (England/Wales and Scotland) we can be seen challenging unfair practices and supporting tenants through legal and regulatory processes against Landlords year in year out. In contrast, other Organisations’ lobbying efforts have been described on social media as ineffectual or misdirected. Publicans often expressed frustration that lobbying the Government was “fruitless” and wanted Organisations to simply confront the pubcos directly for their behaviour.
5. Member-Led vs. Institution-Led
PAS is run for publicans. Its leadership understands the day-to-day realities of running a pub and tailors its services accordingly. Other organisations while well-established, operate more like traditional institutions, with formal panels and governance boards that may feel distant from the grassroots or day-to-day needs of Publicans and or tenants.