Are Pubs A Dying Trade Or A Viable Business Opportunity

Are Pubs A Dying Trade Or A Viable Business Opportunity Pubs have been staple business acquisitions in the UK for centuries. In fact, the first pubs date back an impressive 2,000 years. It wasn’t so long ago that every British street had pubs of all varieties. But, the tides, they are a’ changin’. Vast swathes of public houses now close on a weekly basis. In fact, during 2017, an average of 18 pubs closed each week up and down the country. This is for various reasons, predominantly high alcohol duty and smoking bans. But, whatever the reason; it’s been evident for a while now that British pub culture is in pretty big trouble. Still, some entrepreneurs seek to start out in this industry. And, if you’re one of them, you deserve a pat on the back. It’s thanks to people like you that sectors manage to grow and survive. The chances are that there’s already a few ‘to let’ pubs in your local vicinity for you for you to choose from. Or, you may wish to head to sites like Proplist to see more options across the country. Either way; it shouldn’t take you long to find a premises in which you can start building your dreams. There are certainly enough derelict pubs right now to give you good footing. The issue is, where will you go when you get that foot in the door? Let’s be honest; pubs are closing down for good reasons. And, if you aren’t careful, yours could go the same way. To make sure it doesn’t happen, consider the following ways you could keep your public house thriving. Focus on food Any modern publican will emphasise the need to focus on food rather than alcohol. The simple fact is, high duty means you won’t make much on pints. Not to mention that we’re all drinking less than we used to. In fact, more than a quarter of millennials don’t drink at all. So, it doesn’t take a genius to work out that an alcohol-focused pub will struggle. Still, the whole nation is eating out a lot more. And, good pub grub still has a weighty reputation. As such, pubs which offer decent and reasonable food still stand to do a bustling trade. So, instead of bartering with breweries, set about finding yourself a chef with the best credentials. A family affair It’s also worth noting that pubs who focus on families over heavy drinkers survive a lot longer in the current climate. This is tied up with the fact that we’re drinking less. On top of which, low pay rates and the increased costs of days out mean families are forever looking for cheap places to play. By installing a play park outside and offering kids drinks and menus, you can really hone in on that niche. This is fantastic news for you and your customers, and could be the one thing which protects your business. After all, unlike typical drinkers, families are liable to stick around all afternoon. They save money that way, and you get more in your till. Win, win, win. Diversify While there are obvious factors behind the pub demise, you could also say this industry is its own undoing. After all, every other business out there has changed and diversified in recent years to keep on top. The pub industry, however, is pretty much the same as ever. Is it any wonder, then, that so many businesses here are struggling to keep on top? Admittedly, food is the most significant change publicans have seen, but is that a large enough leap? We don’t think so, and it seems customers don’t either. As such, any new pub could do with finding new ways to diversify. How you do this is up to you, but you need to find ways to grow what you’ve got. It may be that you introduce a takeaway service, for instance, which gets your food out into the world. Or, perhaps you could overcome drink driving laws by offering bed and breakfast. You could even open up your grounds as a campsite, and make this a weekend affair. One thing’s sure; those campsite guests will likely pop in for at least a few while they’re with you. Some pubs are even opening delis and butchers onsite, so why not develop your own shop? You may well find that sidelines like these are just what you need to make this business work. Over time, you could even become a front-runner in the changing face of Britain’s pub business!