Business Handover Checklist
Buying a hotel, B&B, guest house, pub, restaurant or café? Get a dated, week-by-week takeover plan covering staff (TUPE), licences, suppliers, utilities, bookings and systems — then tick it off, add AI-suggested tasks and print it. Free and no sign-up required.
Why a Handover Plan Matters
Buying a hospitality business is not just a property purchase. On completion day you take on staff, licences, suppliers, bookings and guests who expect nothing to change. Most early problems — a lapsed licence, an unpaid supplier, a lost booking — come from a task nobody owned. A dated checklist makes sure every job has a deadline before you get the keys.
How the Checklist Works
Choose your business type and completion date and tick the options that apply, such as staff, a premises licence, food service or forward bookings. The tool builds a week-by-week plan from eight weeks before completion to the first month after, with a date against every task. Tick items off, add your own tasks, ask AI for extra tasks specific to your business, and print or save the plan as a PDF.
Staff and TUPE
In the UK, when you buy a business as a going concern, employees usually transfer to you automatically on their existing terms under TUPE. You should receive employee liability information from the seller before completion, and both parties have duties to inform and consult staff. Take legal advice early.
Licences, Registrations and Bookings
Premises licences, food business registration and other permits need to be transferred or applied for in time. Forward bookings and deposits need to be listed, apportioned and moved across booking channels without losing a guest. Before you agree terms, use the Offer Letter & Heads of Terms Generator and the Due Diligence Analyser, or browse hospitality businesses for sale.
What is a business handover checklist?
A dated list of every task needed to take over a trading business smoothly, from staff, licences and insurance to utilities, suppliers, bookings and passwords, split into stages before and after completion.
When should I start planning the handover?
Ideally as soon as your offer is accepted, and at least eight weeks before completion. Licence transfers, food business registration and TUPE consultation all have lead times.
Do staff transfer automatically when I buy a hospitality business?
In the UK, usually yes under TUPE when you buy the business as a going concern. Employees transfer on their existing terms. Always confirm with a solicitor.
What happens to forward bookings and deposits?
They are normally listed at completion and the deposits apportioned, so the buyer receives money for stays after completion. Agree the method in the sale contract.
Is this checklist free?
Yes. It is free, needs no sign-up, and nothing you enter is stored.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a planning aid. Confirm every item with your solicitor, accountant and the relevant authorities.
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