Building a thriving pub business through partnership and training

Highlights:

• Over a decade running The Eagle Coaching Inn after a senior level career in Social Services
• Embracing business support and industry training to strengthen performance
• A strategic partnership approach with Belhaven Pub Partners to achieve long-term success

The Challenge

After a successful career in senior roles within Social Services, Debbie Findlay took on a completely new challenge — running The Eagle Coaching Inn in Broughty Ferry. Now approaching 11 years at the helm, Debbie reflects proudly on the journey.

“I love this pub, I do. I’m glad I did it.”

However, the transition into hospitality came with a learning curve. Debbie admits that early on, she viewed the business very independently.

“My attitude could have been better at the start. In my head, rather than thinking I’m on my own, this is where the buck stops — I should have been more open to assistance from Greene King/Belhaven than I was.”

Adjusting to the realities of running a pub business — from managing finances to driving local trade — required not only resilience, but a shift in mindset about what partnership truly meant.

The Solution

Over time, Debbie embraced the support available through Belhaven Pub Partners, recognising the value of collaboration and structured business support.

Her relationship with her Business Development Manager proved pivotal. “Billy was good, really good. I felt like we were in a relationship. We meet regularly and he listens.”

Debbie highlights the strategic nature of the partnership. “They are a machine. They’re strategic — nothing happens without thought, consideration and research.”

Understanding that both sides are businesses has been key. “If you take a pub from them, you’re a business as well. You need to get your two businesses working together and use whatever you can from them that’s useful. Don’t shy away from that.”

Training has also played a major role in her success. From social media and finance workshops to seasonal planning sessions, Debbie has fully utilised the investment in training and development.

“The people that deliver the training are fabulous. If you get time make sure you go to the training.”

This openness to learning and support has strengthened her confidence and operational performance.

The Result

Today, Debbie runs a sustainable and successful pub business that continues to serve its community.

“I’ve done it. I’ve made it. I’ve done it through rough times and I’m dead proud of myself.”

With strong business support, strategic guidance and ongoing investment in training, Debbie has built a pub that not only performs commercially but makes a meaningful difference.

“Here you could change people’s day, their hour, their week… I like making people happy.”

Through partnership, accountability and a willingness to learn, Debbie has ensured The Eagle Coaching Inn remains a valued hub for local trade and community life. 

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Full transcript:

Following a career that saw her work in senior roles within Social Services, Debbie Finley has now been running the Eagle Coaching Inn in Broughty Ferry for over a decade.

During our visit Debbie explained how embracing the support and training on offer from Belhaven Pub Partners has played a pivotal role in the success of her pub business

Debbie – “I love this pub, I do, I love it. I'm coming up for 11 years here and I'm glad I did it.”

“I think there's an adjustment period with that, that I went through. My attitude could have been / should have been better at the start. In my head, rather than just thinking I'm on my own, this is where the buck stops - I should have been more open to assistance from Greene King/Belhaven than I was at the start.”

“But Billy was good, he was really really good. I felt like we were in a relationship, he is there and we'll meet regularly and now he listens (maybe I didn't listen before) but he listens.”

“I've really appreciated that industry knowledge and the communication, and them working hard to support me and other pubs as well. I appreciate that.”

“And it is what they're calling a partnership; it's not a stupid name that they bandy about to make it sound good.”

“Anybody who is looking to take on a pub has to be clear about their undertakings, what Greene King/Belhaven will do or not do, and be clear about that.”

“You're going to have to be accountable but the partnership side with Greene King/Belhaven is better now than ever was and a part of that is my attitude as well.”

“They are a machine. They're strategic as well - nothing happens, no decisions are made at Greene King/Belhaven without thought, consideration and research.”

“Just don't forget they're a business, they are a business. If you take a pub from them, you're a business as well and you need to get your two businesses to be working together and use whatever you can from them that's useful to you. Don’t shy away from that.”

“The people that deliver the training are fabulous. They know about the industry, they know about us and they were amazing. Recently there's been social media, finance and there's one on Christmas, and I go to them all because it's not only useful, the content is delivered brilliantly. If you get time to go and train, go to training.”

“I've done it, I've made it. I've done it through rough times and I'm dead proud of myself.”

“Here you could be effective - you can change people's day, their hour, their week - a lot of people you could do that with and maybe I don't know what that says about me, but I like making people happy.”