Research on the pub sector in Scotland phase 1: scoping study

Annex 3: Recruitment Questionnaire

Intro Text:
Standard CGA phone survey introduction: CGA Strategy Limited has been commissioned by the Scottish Government to undertake independent research on the operation of the pub sector in Scotland. The research will require CGA to gather evidence from licensees across different operating models. As a result, we initially need to know the sector in which you operate and whether - based on the following information - you would be willing to participate in a detailed research study.

Q1. Is this the [Insert Outlet Name]?

Q2. Is the Licensee available please? Yes / No

If No At Q2
Q3. Are you a manager employed to run the outlet on a day to day basis?
[only continue if yes]

If Yes At Q2
Q4. Record name of Licensee

Read Out: To give you an idea this conversation from now on should take about 6-8 minutes of your time.

Q5. Before we continue can we confirm the type of pub business you run? Which of the following best describe your premises?
Pub
Bar
Hotel

If Hotel Coded At Q5, Ask Q5a:
Q5a. How many letting bedrooms do you have?
Only continue if five or less

Q5b. Is the letting of rooms the main part of your business or the pub/bar?
Only continue if 'yes'

Q6. Which of these definitions best describes your business tenure?
Independent
Pub Co or Brewery Tenancy
Pub Co or Brewery Lease
Pub Co or Brewery Managed House

Read Out:
I now have a statement to read to you regarding this research.

CGA Strategy Limited has been commissioned by the Scottish Government to undertake independent research on the operation of the pub sector in Scotland. This research will involve directly interviewing licensees like yourself to understand the mechanics of their business and collect financial information. Because of the sensitive nature of the data collected, I would like to offer you reassurance that all data collected will be handled securely and that maintaining confidentiality of all the data is one of the key cornerstones of our business; and this project. It will not be possible for the answers you provide to be linked directly back to you as individual respondents and the details will be collated alongside all other responses. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated. [IF RESPONDENT RELUCTANT SAY]: There is also a direct letter of support available from the Minister responsible for the Scottish pub sector, Fergus Ewing MSP . [Possible to post letter/email letter to respondent if required]

Q7. In order to ensure we interview a wide range of different pub business types we now need to establish some of the property details. Which of the following best describes the ownership arrangements?

Wholly owned without commercial mortgage or other property loan

• What is the name of the owner / registered company?
• For how many years have you been mortgage or other property loan free?
• Are you tied in any way for your drink supplies?
• What products are ties: is this all; and/or partial? Beer, Cider, Wine, Soft drinks.

Wholly owned with a commercial mortgage or other property loan

• What is the name of the owner / registered company?
• With whom is the mortgage/property loan?
• How many years remain on the mortgage or other property loan?
• Are you tied in any way for your drink supplies?
• What products are tied: is this all; and/or partial? Beer, Cider, Wine, Soft drinks.

Owned with a commercial mortgage or other property loan

• What is the name of the owner / registered company?
• With whom is the mortgage/property loan?
• How many years remain on the mortgage or other property loan?
• Are you tied in any way for your drink supplies?
• What products are tied: is this all; and/or partial? Beer, Cider, Wine, Soft drinks.

Owned by a commercial landlord

• What is the commercial landlord?
• Is it a lease or a tenancy?
• How many years remain on the original agreement?
• Are you tied in any way for your drink supplies?
• What products are tied: is this all; and/or partial? Beer, Cider, Wine, Soft drinks.

Owned by a Pub Co or Brewery

• What is the Pub Co or Brewery?
• Is it a lease or a tenancy?
• How many years remain on the original agreement?
• Are you tied in any way for your drink supplies?
• What products are tied: is this all; and/or partial? Beer, Cider, Wine, Soft drinks.

Q8. At this point, are you still interested in being involved with this research?

The research will gather evidence from licensees across different operating models to establish if any part of the pub sector in Scotland is being particularly disadvantaged in relation to others. It is expected to provide a robust evidence base which will assist Ministers in coming to a view as to whether legislative change on the operation of the pub sector in Scotland is required and, if so, the scope of such change.

There are a number of key considerations to this which we need to inform you of prior to concluding this call:

• We will need to arrange a visit from our Field Researcher from 18th January 2016 onwards at your pub
• The study interview and data collection process should take no longer than 90 minutes
• At the interview CGA will require access to a minimum of the last 2 full years' financial accounts available for your business
• If agreed, our Field Researcher will contact you direct shortly (within the next 5-7 days) to arrange a mutually convenient date and time for the visit

Bearing these considerations in mind would you still prepared to participate in the full case study research programme?

Thank you for your time

NB: directional instructions omitted