The days of the British public frequenting their local for a pint may be over, according to a new study.
The number of people visiting pubs in the UK has fallen dramatically in recent years. The new survey claims that over half of us now prefer to entertain friends at home, with just 23% still visiting the pub on a regular basis.
The news won’t make for happy reading for landlords across the country, many of whom are in financial trouble. On average, one pub in Britain is forced to close every week.
The new study, conducted on behalf of Ritz Crisp & Thin, adds that back in 1980, around 29 million pints were sold in Britain daily. But, in 2015, just 11 million pints are pulled on average per day.
The majority of the 2,000 people surveyed (64%) cited “cost” as the main reason for the change, although many also believe that entertaining at home is a “more comfortable” experience.
Interestingly, it is the younger generation who are most responsible for the dip in pub attendance, with 18 to 34-year-olds three times more likely to see friends at home than out at a restaurant, pub or bar.
The number of pubs in Britain has fallen by a third since 1980 and, if the trend continues, the future looks very bleak indeed for the Great British Pub.
But then, when you can buy a four-pack from Aldi for cheaper than the price of a pint in your local, is this change really such a surprise?
