The Highs and Lows of Running a Pub

By Christopher Fowler

Just a decade ago, the centre of any community was the pub. There was something uniquely British about them. Enjoying a pint (or twenty), playing pool and darts, before stumbling into a kebab shop in the early morning was a British institution. From John O' Groats to Lands end, drinking the evening away after work with your friends was an essential part of our national character (although, arguing with a lamp-post on the way home was optional).

So what has led to their demise?

There are many factors that need to be considered when trying to work out why so many pubs and bars are closing. Many of these harmful factors have happened simultaneously, making it difficult to discern which are the most damaging to the pub trade.

Firstly, there's the smoking ban. Whilst this protects the lungs of workers and pub goers who do not smoke, it's also had the side effect of making smokers feel like social lepers. Whilst many of the more self-righteous people in our midst will say they deserve it, it has to be considered that drinking isn't the healthiest of activities anyway. There are many areas of our lives where the nanny state dictates what we should and should not do, going to the pub is one of the few activities where we knowingly defy our health professionals and do what we like.

It has to be said though that it needed to be done, with an increasingly litigious society, forcing people to work in an environment where they would inhale second-hand smoke was a ticking legal time bomb waiting to go off.

Another factor is the ever increasing amount of tax duty on alcohol, and the increasing availability of cheap supermarket alcohol. The problem with sin taxes is that by their nature, they are punitive. Governments use sin taxes as a way to raise revenue in a way that's perceived (at least by some) to be moral. Going out for a few drinks has become a luxury many people cannot afford.

And that leads us to our last harmful influence on the pub trade. The global recession.

The cost of living has increased dramatically over recent years, and many people's disposable income has reduced as a result. It can be hard to justify going out for a few drinks when you're struggling to pay for the essentials in life.

So how can pub landlords stay in business?

Well, by diversifying a little. That may sound like corporate buzzword speak, but it also happens to be true. If you are struggling to raise enough revenue via alcohol sales, there are other things you can offer your customers.

The most important is offering food. Not just traditional pub food, but other types of food. Many of the pubs that have survived over the past decade are these "gastro-pubs" that offer more than just booze and a jukebox. It's also much more likely to be a place where people will want to bring their families.

Another thing you can do is make smokers feel as comfortable as possible. Some people are vehemently opposed to the very act of smoking, and as a landlord you may be as well. Remember these people are your customers and they deserve to be treated with respect. Smoking is now only possible outside, so make your outdoor areas as comfortable as possible. Outdoor areas should provide shelter from the rain and preferably outdoor heaters. Whatever you may personally feel about smokers, it's not fun to stand outside in the rain on a February evening, trying to light a cigarette.

You may also want to put on some live music. The world is full of budding musicians who cannot get a gig, and they can be auditioned and employed for the night at a very reasonable price. Don't discount offering live music. Whatever music you offer in the pub, it will never be as good as watching someone perform in person, provided of course they are actually decent musicians.

By following these steps, you may just ensure your pub keeps it's doors open for many years to come.

The Live Sports Bars Website provides a visitors with a selection of pubs and bars across the UK that televise live football on tv.

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