Fewer people eating out in pubs

Fewer people are choosing to eat out in pubs, industry research has shown.

In 2006, it was found that pubs accounted for as much as 17% of total meals obtained outside the home and 33% of table-service meals (where takeaway and fast food is excluded). These figures have now dropped to 11.4% and 25% respectively.

"Up until mid 2006, our research showed that pubs dominated the eating out of home market," David Humphreys, director of Friary Marketing and Consulting Group Ltd, told More Than Business news.

"From September 2006, rising interest rates and utility bills have eaten into the disposable income of the core pub-user group. Since then, the smoking ban has come into force and rising living costs have compounded the impact on the pub."

Humphreys said that increased competition from coffee bars, mid-market restaurants and retail take-away outlets has also reduced pub trade.

"The most vulnerable pubs are the undifferentiated community pub – those offering nothing out of the ordinary," he said. "The least vulnerable offer an excellent standard of customer service, a wide customer base, a leading edge food proposition, and a constantly fresh and updated customer offer."