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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?

10.06.2025 16:00

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?

In the mid to late 20th century they added food, without the inconvenience of cooking it or washing up.

But now:

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I’m a 25 year old teacher teaching at boys school & I have colleagues younger than me. I caught one of my students telling her he wanted her as his teacher instead & it hurt my feelings. They compliment her a lot. It makes me jealous. What do I do?

You have to understand what the attraction of the English pub was in the first place.

You can get takeaway or even cook yourself a wider range of food of good quality

Back in the day (early 20th century and before) the English pub offered things you couldn’t get in a working-class home:

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Entertainment (pre TV and radio)

Your home has more comfortable seating and a garden

Comfortable seating in a warm, cozy environment, or a nice pub garden

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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?

A range of alcoholic drinks

You can get a wider range of quality drinks at lower prices from a supermarket

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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.