Why run a pub in the South East?

The South East of England offers an exceptional opportunity for aspiring publicans, bringing together strong year‑round trade, vibrant local communities, and a mix of bustling towns and charming rural and coastal locations. From thriving urban centres like Brighton, Reading, and Oxford to picturesque villages across Kent, Sussex, Surrey, and Hampshire, the region is rich with pubs that sit at the heart of local life. Operators here benefit from consistent community footfall, boosted by buoyant tourism throughout the warmer months and a steady flow of visitors from London and beyond, creating the perfect environment to build memorable, food‑led and hospitality‑driven businesses.

Find the right pub business for you

We offer two flexible ways to run a pub with Punch, depending on your experience, ambitions and the level of independence you’re looking for.

Management Partnerships 

A great way to experience running your own pub business, with the reassurance of full support behind you.

• We provide the tools, systems and ongoing support to help you succeed
• You bring the flair, passion and local knowledge that make a pub thrive
• Ideal if you’re looking to grow your confidence and experience as an operator

Flexible Tenancies & Leases

These are designed for experienced publicans and hospitality professionals who are looking for more independence.

• More control over how you shape your business and offer
• Flexibility to get creative and make the pub your own
• Backed by expert support when you need it

We really enjoy working with entrepreneurial operators and are happy to tailor our agreements and products to suit your business and vision.

Whatever agreement you choose, this is what you get with Punch:

✅ We achieved Best Partnership Pub Company +501 sites at the 2024 Publican of the Year Awards.

✅ Our £1 Million academy has a state-of-the-art kitchen, two bars and a cellar for our industry-leading training course, Progress with Punch.

✅ In 2024, we achieved Mind Gold for the second consecutive year. We also won the Licenced Trade Charity Staff Wellbeing Award +251 sites in 2023 and the LTC Champions award in 2024.

✅ Each month, our Tenants can submit their inspirational events for a chance to win £1,000 for their Grand Idea.

✅ We reward talent at our epic Punch Publican of the Year Awards at Head Office.

✅ You’ll have a talented and experienced Operations Manager by your side to help you excel.

✅ Our Publican and MP Pub Hero volunteers help us implement our Punch Promise Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy.

✅ We are delighted to announce that at the BII National Innovation in Training Awards, November 2024 we were awarded the Best Training Programme Sustainability Award, and also made finalists for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Run a pub in one of the UK’s most vibrant regions

From Kent’s iconic white cliff’s and historic cathedral cities, to Sussex’s rolling South Downs and bustling coastal resorts, the South East is a region where great pubs and great publicans truly thrive.

Explore pubs available across the South East