A new study has confirmed what people who like a drink or six have always known: living near a pub does make you happier.
A study by Oxford University found that regulars who have a nearby ‘local’ pub are happier, have more friends, are more satisfied in life and drink in moderation compared to those who haven’t. Who’d have thought it?
The report – for the campaign for Real Ale (Camra) – revealed that your social skills improve after a drink (no surprise there really) and those who go to smaller community pubs engage in more conversation than larger chain pubs.
Professor Robin Dunbar of Oxford University, said:
Friendship and community are probably the two most important factors influencing our health and wellbeing. Making and maintaining friendships, however, is something that has to be done face-to-face.Given the increasing tendency for our social life to be online, having relaxed, accessible venues where people can meet old friends and make new ones becomes ever more necessary.
The study – which was conducted in pubs across Oxfordshire – also found that pubs played an important role in providing people a place to meet and make friends.
Tim Page, chief executive of Camra, said:
Whilst we are delighted that such robust research highlights some of the many benefits of visiting a pub, I hardly expect the findings will be a great surprise to Camra members. We all need to do what we can to ensure that everyone has a ‘local’ near to where they live or work.
There’s only one thing for it now- to the pub!
