Is The Future of The Traditional British Pub in Jeopardy? - an article by Emma Stevens

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