In recent years, a
number of events have contributed towards speculation that the
traditional British pub is in jeopardy. Earlier in the year, it was
reported that the government have promised to intervene, following
revelations that an average of 28 UK pubs close each week. How real
is the problem?
The Traditional
British Pub
The traditional pub is
an integral part of British culture, with the oldest pub rumoured to
date back to around 1000AD. They have been a central meeting point
for centuries – a place where locals come together to drink, catch
up and have some fun. It’s hard to imagine a future without the
traditional pub, so why are so many of them closing, and what can we
do about it?
The Challenges Faced
In recent years, a
number of traditional pubs have been forced to close. This has
provoked discussions into the future of British pubs. In the wake of
the recession, the public were forced to change their spending
habits, which saw trips to the local become increasingly infrequent.
Inevitably, when people
stop spending money, local businesses suffer. Consequently, many
British pubs were forced to close – especially in rural locations
and small towns. People simply could not afford to spend as much on
socialising, preferring to entertain guests at home, instead of
meeting in the local pub.
A change in social
trends has also influenced the downfall of the traditional British
pub, with younger generations preferring trendy wine bars and
cocktail lounges. It seems the traditional pubs have been unable to
keep up with the change in demands, bit something has to give – is
it too late to save the Great British pub?
The Future of the
Traditional British Pub
Despite the downturn in
the traditional pub industry, things might be starting to look up.
British people love beer, and a number of initiatives have seen
profits slowly rising again. As we make our way out of the recession,
it’s expected that punters will return to their local pubs, and the
industry will make a full recovery.
However, one thing is
certain. In response to the economic downturn and changing trends,
the traditional British pub must evolve in order to survive. Many
landlords have started to respond, expanding their offering to
provide high quality pub food, or revamping the interior to rival
some of the newer establishments responsible for stealing their
regulars.
The British public love
beer and, thanks the Pubs Matter
campaign led by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the
traditional British pub is becoming popular once again. This can be
demonstrated by the rise in popularity of local beer festivals, which
provide punters with a wide choice of ales to try. Pubs have
responded to these developments, with chains such as Greene
King making the most of the demand for real ale. They produce
some of the nation’s favourite beers, and their pubs are thriving
as a result.
There’s no doubt that
the threat to the traditional British pub is a very real one.
However, it seems the tide may be turning, and the pub industry will
soon return to its former glory.
Emma Stevens
