A few weeks ago, our Prime Minister has backed a media groups campaign to Save our British Pubs.
Since the pandemic the hospitality industry has had a torrid time. In 2024 alone, figures suggest that more than 400 pubs closed their doors. However, it is evident that the great British Pubs were declining pre-covid.
So, what is impacting the pub industry?
The ever-rising cost of living has significantly affected the pub industry. With frequent price fluctuations on essential consumables, maintaining profitability has become increasingly challenging. Pubs must carefully monitor these changes and adjust their pricing strategies accordingly to stay afloat. From ingredients to utilities, every aspect of running a pub is becoming more expensive, making financial awareness crucial.
To sustain business, owners must balance affordability for customers while covering rising costs. Without careful attention to these economic shifts, many establishments risk financial strain. In such times, adaptability and strategic planning are essential for long-term success in the pub industry.
Our towns and High Streets are now littered with empty premises and decaying buildings.
So, there was an increase pre covid of pubs and restaurants closing.
Today’s generations and pubs
Today’s generation clearly does not visit pubs as often as previous generations. Changing social habits, economic factors, and alternative entertainment options have shifted preferences. As a result, pubs must adapt to evolving trends to attract younger customers and remain relevant in an increasingly competitive and dynamic hospitality industry.
Years gone by, pubs were a relatively haven to spend time with friends, have a drink and unwind after a long hard week at work. There was always the fear though after maybe one too many to act a bit foolishly! However, you were with friends or relatives so in a relatively safe environment.
Today, that foolish act is very easily filmed and uploaded to social media for potentially the world to see and share! However, I would not dream of entering a debate around social media and the implications!
What’s the trend in the pub industry now?
We see nowadays Micro Pubs popping up in our towns and cities.
These obviously as the name implies, are smaller venues, maybe only one room with a bar. This in turn means that the cost of running a micro unit is far less than the traditional larger pubs we were used too. Also being a free house, they are not tied to any brewery constraints.
And they are proving a lifeline for many towns and villages as a place to socialise and are becoming central in many communities.
At Tandem Business Solutions we feel very privileged to be working with some owners of such units. The passion and dedication we see from these owners in running their businesses is something maybe we did not see from a landlord leasing from a brewery. This enables an adaption to provide the requirements to service their communities, rather than a generic list of products available everywhere.
With the number of Micro Pubs registered with The Micro Pub Association now exceeding 300 in the UK and the numbers rising, it does seem there is a successor to the traditional British Pub we have all come to know.
How can Tandem help your Micro Pub?
So, if you own or are thinking of opening a Micro-Pub, we would be delighted to have a chat with you and assist you in your venture as like the Prime Minister, we too fully support “Save our Pubs”.
If you would like a chat, then please just click on the ‘Book a Call’ button on the top of our website.