19 February 2026
How we help hospitality business owners struggling with the emotional impact and demands of selling up
By Andrew Spencer, Agency Director
When it comes to selling up in the hospitality business sector many owners struggle with the emotional impact of their decision and the demands placed upon them to see through a successful sale.
Whilst there are some owners who can’t wait to get a business off their hands and move on without looking back, we find the majority in the licensed & leisure sectors find it a difficult and challenging time.
There are of course many reasons for selling. Some people just need a change after running a demanding hospitality business for a long time.
Others may have struggled to make it work and need a sale for financial reasons, whilst some want to move on to bigger and better things having enjoyed success, and of course there are always people looking to sell to retire.
Often the emotional attachment to the business and it’s customers is the biggest hurdle for owners in the licensed & leisure sectors to overcome – even if the business has been struggling, and financially it is the only realistic decision to take.
Personal attachments make it hard to let go
Owners of pubs, bars, hotels, coffee shops and cafes have usually poured their heart and soul into their business, not just working 9-5, but around the clock to make it work.
We find that when people start to consider selling, the emotional attachment often holds them back.
Many can’t envisage their business in the hands of new owners, and they look to us for our experience, reassurance, guidance, and support to help them overcome their doubts.
This emotional attachment is something our team never underestimates at Barry Crux & Company, as we have seen it so often.
Nine times out of 10 though, when a business owner contacts us to say they are thinking of selling, it’s the right thing for them to do.
Once those thoughts are in an owner’s mind, we find it is usually best to press on, as a business run by people who are losing interest and motivation only ever goes one way.
An expert team who remove the pressure off sellers
Sellers can’t just put their business on the market and begin to put their feet up.
They still have the business to run – and added to the usual daily demands, they then have to deal with all the requirements which fall upon them as part of a business sale.
Knowing how the emotional impact and the added pressure of having to run the business and prepare for a sale can take its toll, our team places a huge focus on taking the stress away for the business owners who turn to our expertise.
We ensure everything from TUPE arrangements and HR policies are in place, as well as gathering the required financial details and compliance requirements to ensure we don’t hit any unexpected blocks in the road.
In any business sale it is important that the momentum from the initial interest of a prospective buyer, or an offer being made, doesn’t stall.
That is why our team often acts as a go-between of sellers, buyers and solicitors, making sure we keep all updated and that things continue to progress at a pace.
Cutting through the emotion to get deals done
We are there in a professional role and so we do have to cut through the emotion to ensure we secure the best deal for the seller, as quickly as possible. We have a track-record of doing just that.
If you are considering selling your pub, bar, restaurant, B&B, hotel or café, contact our team today for dedicated support throughout the process.
Our first step is always to visit your business to assess both the physical asset and the business itself to understand how it is performing and identify the features which will make it an attractive proposition.
We also want to understand your motives and needs from the sale, and how we can best support you in that knowledge.
Many owners who turn to us don’t know where to start when it comes to putting their business on the market, what they need to see a sale through, and what sort of value their business is worth.
As market leaders in licensed & leisure commercial properties across York and North Yorkshire, securing sales is our area of expertise.
However, our true quality comes in supporting business owners through the process, leaving them feeling it was the right thing to do, and that they walked away with the right deal done, after many years of hard graft and commitment.
