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There are over 57,000 of them. They're the
cornerstone of social life in towns, cities and
villages across the country. And everyone's
favourite is known simply as the local'. But with
fewer beer drinkers visiting them, is the great
British pub under threat?
World ofHeineken 39 - winter 2008/2009
Public House
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THE PUB'S DILEMMA
The British have enjoyed a love affair with the pub—and
beer, the pub's most important commodity—since
as far back as Roman times. Over the past few years,
however, pubs have seen a steady decline in their
annual beer sales, with changes in drinking habits,
increased off-trade competition and the smoking ban
all taking their toll. According to the British Beer Pub
Association, over 30 pubs in the UK go out of business
each week. Add to the mix a downturn in the economic
climate and an increase in beer duty, and the decline
in the pub's popularity can be easily explained. The
question many in the industry are now asking is: where
to from here? Some believe the answer involves a
return to basics.
ALE IN THE 19™ CENTURY
At the beginning of the 19th century, pubs were the
most important social venues for the working class
man. As the country developed during the Industrial
Revolution and its manufacturing output grew, beer
drinking was seen as an important way of maintaining a
healthy working class.
Around this time, some entrepreneurial pub landlords
began looking for ways to expand their customer base.
Many decided to open a second area in their pubs,
known as the lounge bar, to attract those interested in
being entertained while they drank. Offering singing,
dancing or card games, the lounge bar was a hit, and
pubs up and down the country began to divide the
public bar from the lounge bar. The beer was more
expensive in this new section, but for some in class-
driven Britain this just added to the appeal.
By the end of the 19th century, the demand for beer
had increased enormously. Keen to ensure drinkers
remained loyal, and to gain a competitive advantage,
breweries began signing agreements with pub
landlords to sell their beers exclusively. Known as tied
distribution, this form of one-brewery-only stocking
transformed thousands of pubs around the country.