The future of the British pub
Community relevance, changing guest expectations and business models that give pubs a reason to exist tomorrow.
Explore this themePub operator. Hospitality consultant. Industry commentator.
Better pubs.Built in reality.
Supporting independent operators, multi-site groups, pub companies and hospitality investors across the UK.
I’m Joshua Matheson, known as Josh the Pub Guy. I operate pubs, support hospitality businesses and comment on where the trade goes next: the future of pubs, useful technology and better operational leadership.
See the evidence ↓Three conversations that matter
The trade I work in.
The future I care about.
I operate in Worcestershire. My work and commentary address the UK hospitality industry.
Technology and AI in hospitality
Automate what wastes time. Invest in what guests actually feel. Useful systems should give teams more time for people.
Explore this themeBetter pub operations and leadership
Commercial discipline, confident teams and operator autonomy, grounded in what happens on shift.
Explore this themeFind your starting point
Where do you need support?
12+years in hospitality
200+venues supported
15consecutive 5-star hygiene ratings
2pubs operated today
The difference
Operator first. Consultant second.
I have worked across tied tenancies, partnership agreements, free-of-tie groups, independent businesses and managed operations. That range matters. A solution that works in one model can fail completely in another.
Find the real constraint.
Commercial performance, guest journey, labour, offer, compliance and local positioning reviewed as one operation.
Make good days repeatable.
Standards, routines, accountability and controls that work when the building is busy and the team is stretched.
Create demand worth serving.
Pricing, menus, reputation, events and local marketing with a commercial reason behind every decision.
Turnaround evidence
The Pillar of Salt
A community pub rebuilt through stronger standards, a clearer offer, local relevance and relentless operational grip.
£2k → £12kweekly sales
1 → 5food hygiene rating
4.0 → 4.4Google rating
1 → 10team growth
Good consultancy should survive contact with Saturday night.
Current practice
No armchair answers.
Through JM Pubs I operate two Worcestershire venues while advising across the industry. I deal with the same wage pressure, supplier decisions, compliance, guest expectations and margin challenge as the operators I support.
Ye Olde
Red Horse
Food, events and five letting rooms.
Explore the Evesham operationThe
Crown Inn
Village trade, community and events.
Explore the Peopleton operationMore than a turnaround
Make the whole business work.
A fuller pub is not automatically a healthier business. The offer has to earn its margin, staffing has to fit the service, and the guest experience has to bring people back. I look at those decisions together.
Support shaped around your agreement
Tied, partnership, free-of-tie, independent and managed businesses have different freedoms and responsibilities. My recommendations start with what you can control, what needs agreement and where the commercial benefit will sit.
Explore my experienceFrom the first review to delivery
Whether the priority is a struggling venue, a sharper food offer or a team that needs structure, the work starts with clear priorities and follows through into practical action.
See how I can helpWebsites and online presence
Found online. Chosen in person.
Website development, Google Business Profile, local SEO, social content and review management, connected to the table bookings, room bookings and enquiries your business needs.
Explore digital supportA straight conversation
What is your pub capable of?
Tell me what is happening, what the numbers look like and where it feels stuck. I will tell you honestly whether I can help.