Professional footballers, film, television and rock stars are possibly the only people left who can afford to take on tied pubs and subsidise them to keep them going. What I failed to mention at the head of this piece although I think everyone got it, is that it is a quote verbatim, cut and paste, from a Punch Inns advertisment for taking on their leases. The bit I really like is: "The Ideal Candidate: Quite simply, people from all kinds of backgrounds can carve out a future as successful licensees. YOU DON'T EVEN NEED PREVIOUS PUB EXPERIENCE" and the little throw away about: "THE FREEDOM OF SELF-EMPLOYMENT BACKED UP BY THE SUPPORT OF A MULTI-AWARD WINNING COMPANY". Oooh Aaah. And S Roberts you're right there are few Professionals in this trade. It's a business of Enthusiastic Amateurism as someone once pointed out as I was being introduced to Marco Pierre White.