Smithfield Bell

Welshpool

Community Food Partnership

Your pub with
our backing

Support that
keeps giving

Get off the
ground fast

Award winning
training

Overview

RUN THE SMITHFIELD BELL, WELSHPOOL

Community Food Partner Opportunity

Overview: The Smithfield Bell is a popular, family-friendly pub located in Welshpool, ideally positioned on a busy retail park close to the train station, golf course and the renowned Powis Castle and Gardens. Benefiting from a strong mix of local and tourist trade, the pub attracts families, walkers, cyclists and visitors from nearby caravan parks, canal routes and local attractions. With expected weekly sales of around £15,000, this is an exciting opportunity to take on an established community food pub with a proven track record and significant growth potential.

The business: The Smithfield Bell is a spacious and welcoming pub that caters to a broad customer base. The business currently operates with a 65:35 dry-to-wet sales mix, demonstrating the strength of its food offer and family appeal. Inside, the pub provides seating for approximately 160 covers, alongside a spacious bar area, TVs and a pool table. Outside, customers can enjoy a further 40 covers and a dedicated children’s play area, making it a popular destination for family dining and social occasions. The site also benefits from a traditional food menu and a fabulous pizza oven, offering excellent foundations for continued growth.

The opportunity: With strong trading already in place, there is clear potential to grow sales to £18,000-£20,000 per week through consistent delivery, high operational standards and an enhanced guest experience. Food remains the key growth driver, alongside entertainment, events and further community engagement. The pub’s location, broad customer appeal and established reputation create a fantastic opportunity for an operator to build on an already successful business and establish the Smithfield Bell as the go-to family dining destination in the area.

Who we’re looking for: We’re looking for an experienced operator, or a strong General Manager ready to take the next step into running their own pub business. The ideal partner will have proven food experience, strong people skills and a passion for driving standards across every aspect of the customer journey. Someone who understands community food pubs, can lead a team effectively and is committed to delivering a fantastic guest experience will thrive in this opportunity.

What’s in it for you?

• 26% share of weekly sales (excluding VAT) plus a guaranteed annual retained sum of £35,000 (released weekly).
• Low ingoing costs, with deposits starting from £5,000 and a £360 legal cost. (Deposits can vary depending on the business. Ask us for more details.)
• Accommodation included with most bills covered, excluding Council Tax and TV Licence.

Ready to take the next step? Run The Smithfield Bell and build on the success of a thriving community food pub with strong local and tourist trade. With a well-established food offer, excellent family credentials, significant trading potential and a fantastic location, this is a brilliant opportunity to put your stamp on an already successful business and take it to the next level. We’d love to hear from you.

Private accommodation information

Office

Yes

Bedrooms

3 bedrooms

Details

There is a 3 bedroom private accommodation with lounge, kitchen and bathroom in the main flat. There is also a bedsit available as a second flat.

As part of our application process, we may use Lily, an AI-powered interviewing assistant to support the early stages of screening. Lily helps us move quickly, keep things flexible for you, and create a more consistent candidate experience, but one thing you should know – all hiring decisions are still made by our people.

Please note: Photos featured in our Grandstand advertisements may include images of previous Grandstand investments across the estate to illustrate the look and feel of a typical Grandstand conversion. Images used may not reflect the current setup of the specific site being advertised.

All proposed investment is subject to final approval and formal sign‑off in accordance with company governance and capital expenditure approval processes.

Pub features

Private accommodation

Food offer

Pub games

Beer garden

Customer car park

Live acts

How to apply

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Smithfield Bell, Welshpool

Welshpool

SY21 7BL

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Partner FAqs

How long is the recruitment process?

We understand that taking on your own pub business is an important decision. We are proud to operate under the provisions of the Pubs Code regulations (2016), by providing certain important information during the recruitment process which will enable you to make an informed decision about the pub business and the agreement which you are applying for. The recruitment process is structured to include meetings with our recruitment and operations team (virtually or in person). The process usually takes 3-6 weeks from application to offer, but varies depending on meeting dates, availability and information required for the completion of the business plan.

How do I obtain a personal license?

For any of our partnership agreements you must have a personal licence to legally operate one of our pubs. We can help in the process of obtaining a personal licence through our partners at John Gaunt. A member of our recruitment team will be able to discuss this option with you as part of your application or enquiry.

Do I need to pay the whole deposit upfront?

If you receive an offer from us, we will require payment of the full deposit at your earliest convenience. However, from time to time at the Regional Operations Managers discretion a part deposit payment may be made with an agreed deposit builder in place for the remaining amount. The deposit, or deposit builder, would need to be paid before the commencement of the agreement.

How do I receive my % turnover share and guaranteed retained sum?

Takings are banked in a Marston’s account in accordance with the agreements, to allow us to deduct our Management Charge. Your share (‘Retained Sum’) will be settled on a weekly basis. Any guaranteed annual Retained Sum is released on a weekly basis to you at the same time as your turnover % share Retained Sum.

Can I replace the menu? Can I run specials?

In any partner agreement pub with a Marston’s menu on offer there is no opportunity to put on your own version of food or specials due to allergies and food regulations. We do have a number of pubs that do not have a Marston’s menu in, and you are free to put on your own food menu.

What would happen if I wanted to exit the business before the end of the term?

Marston’s are well aware that life doesn’t always go to plan, that’s why most of our Partnerships have an early termination clause which can be triggered by both parties. There is the option to give three or six months’ notice (depending on the agreement) for both parties and would need to be confirmed in writing to your Area Manager.

What development opportunities are there?

Our award-winning learning and development teams offer tonnes of support and training to both partners and your pub teams. When you join us, you will be booked onto our BII* accredited induction programme which includes classroom-based learning, practical sessions and for our food-led businesses, time spent at one of our Centres of Excellence pubs where an experience operator will show you the ropes.

As a Marston’s partner, you’ll also get access to our online training platform where you will be able to access a wide range of free online training courses, tools, and resources. In addition, our trainers will support you with in-person and virtual training sessions when you need the extra help! Our team can also help you access a range of apprenticeships for entry level team members, up to managers and directors.

Can I become a multi-site operator with Marston’s?

We do have multiple pub operators across our business, this is approved on a case by case basis and would need to be approved at a senior level. Feel free to discuss this with a member of our recruitment team in the first instance.

What happens next?

Speak to a member of our team

Meet one of our area managers

Providing you with information on the pub

Present your business plan

Offer and arrangements for taking on your pub business!