Are you a talented Publican local to Congleton looking to bring your pub vision to life backed by an investment from Punch? If so, look no further than the Bench Bistro, set to have a name change.
Pub and location
You’ll discover this site on Congleton’s busy main street near a primary school, secondary school, and hospital.
This pub, with bags of potential, is about to embark on a rebirth, which is why we are looking for a local with the lens, knowledge, business acumen, and vision to create the type of venue locals crave.
Our current vision, which we welcome your challenge to, is a sports venue with a focus on drinks. It’s one way we could invest our budget to realise the pub’s new identity. But we are really intrigued by your ideas, so within the context of our investment limit, the pub venue is the perfect blank canvas for the right visionary Publican. Could this be a tapas bar, or do you think Turkish or an Indian food vibe is the way to go? Or do you agree that it would be most successful as a sports venue? What would you consider to be the USPs that will prove irresistible to the local demographic? We want to learn your perspective and why.
When considering the best way to configure this pub’s identity, think about how you could use the space to the best effect. For example, you could create themed zones in the open-plan area. You can turn the spacious car park into a lively beer garden where you can host popular community events. It’s a unique opportunity for you to put your own stamp on a cracking pub.
Why Punch?
Not only that, but you’ll be also working with a pub company whose purpose is to inspire those moments. Our aim? To become the five-star pub company. We are putting our money where our mouth is.
You will begin your journey with us through best-in-class training, called Progress with Punch, in our £1M academy at HQ, which features a state-of-the-art kitchen, two bars, and a cellar.
You will also be working in partnership with a company that cares about its people. In 2024, we achieved Mind Gold for the second consecutive year. The Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) also shortlisted us for the Staff Wellbeing Award for 251+ sites, having won the previous year. We also achieved the LTC Champion award for the first time.
This year, Springboard announced us as winners of their Staff Health and Wellbeing Award. We also achieved the 2025 PubAid Corporate Community Hero Award.
Ideal Publican
We’re seeking a seasoned hospitality professional with bags of energy, character, creativity, and ideas. You’ll have plenty of experience working in the type of pub venue you are proposing to run.
The ideal Publican will have excellent communication skills and be persuasive in sharing their vision for the pub. We’re looking for someone who loves people. You’ll know your locals’ names, what they drink, and where they like to sit, enjoying banter along the way.
You’ll also know how to bring your pub to life on social channels and love crafting enticing rhythms of the week, restlessly creating new reasons for guests to visit.
Accommodation
You’ll need to be local, as this pub does not have onsite accommodation.
About the Agreement
We love working with experienced entrepreneurs and we’re happy to be flexible with our agreements and products to match your business and vision.
Our Flexible Tenancy agreement offers a piece of mind approach to running your own pub business for a total term of up to 5-years with a flexible notice period.
Whatever the agreement, with Punch you always get:
- A progressive pub company – winners of the Publican Awards 2022 & 2024!
- Industry leading investment with a whole world of possibilities
- Industry leading training, with our Academy and Kitchen
- Industry leading e-commerce platform – Punch Buying Club
- Expert coaching and advice every step of the way
Want to find out more about this agreement? Click Here
Chat to a recruitment advisor now about this pub business opportunity.
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