UK residents express concern over their local pubs.
The British affectionately call the pub their "living room". It holds a significant role in their daily lives, with countless individuals enjoying a beer after work. However, with the coronavirus pandemic, Brexit, and rising inflation, more and more pubs are being forced to shut their doors for good.
On a Monday, around 6 p.m., outside "The Rising Sun" pub near St. Paul's Cathedral in London, people can be seen congregating, enjoying the sun before they head home after a long day. This area, however, is not just an opportunity to appreciate the rarity of sunshine, but also an excuse for a refreshing pint. Surprisingly, many of these patrons have come straight from work.
Londoners are known to spend more of their time in their local pub to compensate for the small square footage of their apartments. A study revealed that 21% of Londoners visit the pub at least once every week, and 2% make it a daily occurrence. Unfortunately, this frequency is not enough to ensure their survival. The rising costs of rent, heating, and living altogether are hitting pubs just as hard as they are hitting people. As reported in The Sun, up to 7,000 pubs in the UK are said to close within the coming year. However, some pubs are taking measures to hang on by a thread by either working fewer hours or closing earlier if the customers don't show up.
Chris Illman, a creative thinker, has devised an online drinking game to help individuals who are financially struggling but still yearn for a taste of the pub. His Facebook group, "Wetherspoon's the Game!", has amassed over 600,000 members. In this game, people simply need to post in which pub they are sitting, their table number, and why they desperately want a drink. Immediately, these individuals are treated to donated drinks from kind strangers. Some reasons people give range from the loss of their beloved pet to just needing a drink.
The British public is just one of many groups being affected by rising living costs. In fact, more than 600,000 people in the hospitality industry have lost their jobs as a result of Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic. With pubs facing so many challenges, they are becoming innovative. One pub, "The 411" in North London, has introduced an inventive concept they now call "Wall Street Wednesday". This isn't just a reference to the high-profile folks you might spot in the establishment, but literally a strategy for saving money: the pub is equipped with a digital display board showcasing each drink sold and its price - which is subject to change every second. The more customers purchase a certain drink, the higher its price rises; the less they're purchased, the lower the cost.
To reduce expenses even further, pub owners are experimenting with various methods. Egil Johansen, owner of "The Kenton" in East London, decided to shut down his kitchen and turn it into a karaoke room. These days, the pub provides pizza via a local supplier, all within the comfort of the pub. This cut-back not only saves on staff and utilities, but also generates additional income when he rents out the room to up to ten people at a time. Although he is now facing a 20% rise in his rent, he would never give up on his pub. He cherishes the communal nature of the pub, calling it a "second living room" for many of its patrons.
Despite the tough times, pub owners are holding onto hope. Some have taken a trip down memory-lane, envisioning full houses every night once more. In Manchester, Sam Smith's Pub has implemented a throwback policy: cellphones, laptops, and tablets are prohibited. Customers who are disrespectful or swear too much are shown the door. This is a preference among the older clientele that frequent the pub. Pubs remain a treasured part of British culture, a place for people to connect; so much so that communities are rallying together to purchase their local establishments. This phenomenon, known as a "community pub", grants those who contribute to the establishment a chance to make decisions democratically.
The living room at the pub holds the same importance in people's lives in Britain as the one in their own homes. It's a place where they make new friends, search for love, shed tears over lost love, celebrate their accomplishments, and enjoy their weekly Sunday roast dinners. Pub culture is one of the charms of this nation and that's why the British residents are determined to preserve it up to the last sip.
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The closure of pubs due to rising costs and challenges like Brexit has impacted the international tourism industry, as many visitors to Great Britain cherish the country's rich pub gastronomy. Despite the challenges, innovative solutions like digital price displays and community buyouts attempt to keep pubs afloat, preserving a vital piece of British culture and tradition.
Source: www.ntv.de
