New research from Greene King, commissioned ahead of the Coronation, has found that pubs are still seen as the economic and social bedrock of local communities, even as society has changed since the last Coronation.
With many pubs now acting as far more than simply places to drink a pint or grab a bite to eat, Greene King’s research finds that four in five (82%) Brits recognise pubs as important for local communities.
Pubs up and down the UK act as centres for local initiatives and fundraising efforts, and are the home for all manner of teams and groups. While pubs may have evolved since 1953, it is clear that their role at the centre of communities hasn’t changed. And with 58% living less than a mile from the pub, these community hubs remain in reach for a huge proportion of Brits.
Pubs are not only social hubs. Sixty-four per cent polled believe pubs support the local economy, while one-third (34%) have worked in a pub at some point in their lives. With more than half of those working in the sector under the age of 25, pubs are an invaluable employer of young people, offering different career and training opportunities. With 61% of those who have worked in a pub having done so in their local area, it is clear that the sector has a pivotal role in providing good jobs in local communities.
Greene King is now calling for more to be done to protect pubs so they can continue to serve local communities for generations to come. This comes as it publishes a new report, Serving King and Country: The Great British Pub at the heart of communities, to mark the King’s Coronation on 6th May. The report looks at the role pubs play in local communities, their social and economic impact, and how they have evolved with society since the last Coronation in 1953.
Greene King is expecting to pull around 1.8 million pints across its managed estate of some 1,600 pubs over the Coronation weekend. A quarter (27%) of 18- to 34-year-olds plan to visit a pub during the bank holiday weekend.
The UK has a great tradition of coming together for national moments in pubs, from jubilees to sporting victories, with a third (35%) of Brits having witnessed or celebrated a national moment in a pub. And pubs also continue to play a central role in our day-to-day lives, with 43% of over-18s going to the pub at least once a month.
Punters celebrating in some of Greene King’s pubs will be able to sample a pint of its new Coronation Ale, specially brewed for the occasion. The company has a long tradition of brewing special beers for coronations and jubilees.
Amid the celebrations, Greene King is urging the government to look at the future of the British local and how to create a regulatory environment which encourages investment and ensures pubs can continue to serve communities until the next coronation and beyond.
“Our pubs have witnessed over 200 years of British history and evolved alongside British society over this time,” said Greene King chief executive, Nick Mackenzie.
“The pub experience in 1953 will be unrecognisable to many of today’s customers, and we pride ourselves on creating warm, welcoming spaces for millions of people of all backgrounds. We are now looking forward to welcoming customers through our doors as we come together to celebrate the King’s Coronation.
“The social and economic impact of pubs is undeniable. Alongside the great career and training opportunities available in communities up and down the country, many pubs also provide vital services and act as hubs which support people in their local areas.
“The range of services, fundraising events and other community programmes organised by our general managers and tenants never ceases to amaze me and I am delighted to be able to showcase a handful of our fantastic pubs and the teams behind them in our new report.”
He added: “However, we must not forget that the future of the Great British pub is far from certain. We have been through some challenging times over the past few years and we cannot afford to take pubs for granted.
“We need the government to create a regulatory environment which encourages investment — particularly through fundamental reform of business rates, which represent the highest regulatory cost burden for pubs — to enable us to continue to serve our communities, create jobs and contribute to the country’s economic growth.”
