It is set to be the driest January in living memory. Drinks sales in pubs and bars have plunged. Rising numbers of people are drinking low or no-alcohol. And new data indicates that even older people are joining teens and twentysomethings by giving up booze. With three days to go, this has been a grim month for publicans.
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) says pubs must adapt quickly by stocking more “lo-no” options and opening their doors more regularly to give community groups a cosy welcome on winter days.
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Market researcher CGA tracks drinks sales in pubs and bars every week and in the last fortnight sales have been down by at least 7% compared with last year, with a 19% fall in sales of spirits last week.
The bad weather and the economic climate are partly to blame, but the company’s managing director Jonathan Jones said Dry January was also “making this a hard month for pubs and bars”.
It’s too expensive to drink out now.
I’m a real ale drinker and moved from the Midlands to the south coast. I was paying £3.20 for a really good real ale before I moved. I was paying £4.60 for an ale after I moved. The last time I looked they went up to £4.90. I’m sure they’re over a fiver now. For £7 you can get 4 x 500ml bottles from a supermarket for the same beer.
People moan about Spoons but their beers are usually less than £3. I’ve even seen one that was doing £1 for a pint. I used some 50p off tokens I had from CAMRA. Three pints for £1.50. Theres a reason their pubs are always busy.
I’m all for supporting pubs but they’ve priced me out.
Man I’m in London tonight. I balked at the Thai restaurant charging £7 for a pint of Singha - buy hey, that’s a restaurant in London. I haven’t found a pint cheaper since!!