Part 1..... chapter 6

It's soooo cold this November, obviously it's winter and you'd expect it to be cold, but it's bloody freezing and I've had to put the heating on at Crowley's before the customers complain they still got their coats on trying to enjoy the first pint of their day. A cold clean, crisp pint. Something I pride my business on, so I want them to feel comfortable in my bar.... So the heating is on, for now.... ;-).

I was told a month a go that the Cricketers Pub was up for sale, and that there were a few people interested in taking it on. With the smoking ban not that far off a lot of licencees will be looking for outside space, and this pub has two beer gardens. The Cricketers was an old favourite of mine back in the 90's only 30 seconds walk from my front door, which was a bonus. It was always packed with the locals and students. It's a Swansea land mark. Built about a hundred years ago, connections with the cricket grounds opposite and it's a big community pub. It would be a shame to see it close down and turned into flats. I don't know if I'm gonna take it but I'm too excited not to try, so I'm gonna book a viewing.... ;-).

On Friday the 10th my DJ had decided to quit. Needless to say I was disappointed and shocked at such short notice because it was a Friday night. Then, without having to think, I knew it. I knew he'd had a higher wage offer from my competitor and being the arrogant, big headed, piss 'ed he is, he's excepted to start on the Friday night. For some one on benefits having a cash in hand job on the fiddle, he is a greedy f**k. Someone who want's his cake to eat with a pint on the side for respect.... But hey, life goes on.

OK, so it's action Stations. I had to get my own decks and a DJ by night fall.... and it had to be done before my now, ex DJ, came to collect his stuff....
What ever his reasons, and rumour has it that there are many. I'm intrigued as to how he will conduct himself with me when we next meet. For I know I will look at him with nothing in my eyes apart from, I know where you work.

I, meanwhile, after a very busy Friday night went for a "mosh" melt down at Face Off (first time there). Most excellent way of letting ya hair down and letting go of all stagnant energy absorbed from negative vibes.... I came away with a couple of scratches, one on the nose I noticed after wiping blood from it. Hard as fuck I am ;-).
Quite a few of my customers where surprised to see me there, others were to pissed to notice in this dark and dingy club - I found that to be rather funny though, as it was Crowley's that got them half way to that state to start with.

It's 25th November and the idea that I had a month ago and then give up on, as the required information to put it into practice was short coming, presented itself to me again this Saturday via a phone call from the landlady of the Cricketers. Finally she has got the papers and other bits of information regarding the sale of the lease to the Cricketers Pub. I wanted to buy the pub before the house but it was in the middle of a franchise swop and the landlady wasn't sure where she stood or if she was going to sell. So I moved on and jumped onto the property ladder and bought my house.
I could scream now!!!.... I would really like to take on that pub and turn it around, bring it back to it's forma glory. Crowley's and the Cricketers could bounce off each other, the Cricketers being a very popular student pub and Crowley's a Rock bar, a perfect match.... for some.
​I know I can't raise any more capital at the moment, not after buying the house, so the other option is for my partner to try and take out a loan or ask a friend. But the relationship I have with him at the moment is no full conversation, no sex, no nothing, so I'm guessing it's gonna be a no from him. Even though I keep saying to myself I can't raise any capital, I could take out some of the equity I have in my flat and together with the cash I have already, I'm only going to be asking my other half to try and sort out about £10,000. He is bound to know someone who can loan that much to him, and when I say loan to him, I mean loan to him. Not to me or to us, just a loan to him.
I have a few thousand in cash but it's not enough. My mind is going crazy right now trying to think how I can raise the money without using my equity.
​God...if you do exist, get your ass down here right now and show yaself to save my sanity....

I need outdoor space for the smokers and business to survive. The Cricketers being in a big area of students and families, has two very nice big outdoor spaces. One out the back with a grass lawn, good for families, and one in the front for the smokers. Lot's of passing trade and the cricket ground opposite. With the students passing everyday I could open at 10am pushing out breakfast at £2 a plate and with word of mouth we'll be bouncing in no time. Having Sunday lunches flying out of the kitchen, live music on the weekends, quiz nights in the week, drink & lunch offers, a £1 a pint promotions.... Wholly shit, ideas I have are bursting my brain cells. Arrrghhh !!!!!
Money, money, money.... all the things I could do!!! Now I got a bloody Abba song in my head.... God I need a joint....thank you sooo much for planting this amazing herb ;-).

Apparently there are two other contenders who are sitting on the fence, and the landlady could also be bluffing, all the same, I'm not going to wait to find out. I'm going to do my dam best to find the money.
The asking price is £45,000 and not open to offers. Hmmm.... I have already stated that I'm not going to haggle with any of the offers if indeed any are put forward. What I offer though will be on a take it or leave it deal. The landlady said she'll consider all offers, as she wants to get out asap. This could put me in a good position provided I can get the cash.

If I can I'm going to offer her £35,000.... Shit, my heart is beating soooo fast right now. Just thinking about it, and with typing these thoughts fast on the keyboard it's making me so nervous. Ha-ha, but excited nervousness. Shit!.... Shit!.... Could this really be happening??? If it does, it'll mean I'll be moving into the flat above the Cricketers. I'll then have to rent out my flat in Mumbles with a possible profit on the rent which will be much needed. Arrrghhh! Awesome! Amazing! Arrrghhh!!!!.... ;-).... Well every action creates a reaction.... Lets see what happens.... ;-).

November the 30th and it's getting colder and wetter. Business is slowing down as people are saving their pint money for the Christmas staff doo. And it seems that the current owners of the Cricketers need to get out very quickly, as in now.
Apparently they are in the shit. They have ran out of time and money and have talked to the brewery for help. They claim to have dropped their asking price from £75,000 to £45,000 for a quick sale. I'm still not sure if this puts me in a better position. If the other offers are a bluff and the business is going down the pan, maybe the brewery will close the pub, and then maybe I could get it really cheap. Oh maybe, maybe, bloody maybe....

My partner has managed to get a £10,000 loan from a good friend of his and I have managed to get a re-mortgage on my flat of £32,400, making it £42,400 in total. I'm going to make an offer to the brewery of £35.000.... I'm not sure they will take it but I'm not going to take it any higher....



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