Why are fewer English people going to their local pubs for a drink? Are they aware that many pubs are shutting down due to lack of customers?
Last Updated: 18.06.2025 11:28
Entertainment (pre TV and radio)
Back in the day (early 20th century and before) the English pub offered things you couldn’t get in a working-class home:
You can get a wider range of quality drinks at lower prices from a supermarket
Comfortable seating in a warm, cozy environment, or a nice pub garden
They need to offer either food of a quality you can’t get at home (true gastro-pub experience) or alternative entertainments - live music, poker nights, sports viewing etc.
The pubs with the best chance of survival long-term recognize that they can’t just get away with the same 3 beers, ropey wine and pub-grub. Why pay more for something worse than you can get at home for less?
In the mid to late 20th century they added food, without the inconvenience of cooking it or washing up.
A range of alcoholic drinks
You can get takeaway or even cook yourself a wider range of food of good quality
Why do almost all vertebrates have tails, but not apes and frogs?
You have to understand what the attraction of the English pub was in the first place.
But now:
You have 1001 sources of entertainment on TV and the Internet
Your home has more comfortable seating and a garden