You licensees know what you think about licensing reform, a smoking ban and binge-drinking issues - but what about your customers? Here's what 500-plus pub-goers told us.The Publican, in conjunction with Marketpublic, has undertaken a comprehensive survey of pub-goers' attitudes to pubs today, the key results of which are published here. Over 500 pub-goers across the UK were asked a series of questions about what attracts them to their local and how changes in the law on licensing and smoking, among other issues, might affect how they spend their leisure time.The survey results are extremely revealing. On the smoking issue an interesting trend emerges, with 41 per cent of women and 46 per cent of men saying they would visit their local pub more often if a smoking ban was brought in. This is good news for publicans, although it has to be noted that over three quarters of those questioned are non-smokers and we also have to acknowledge the significant 14 per cent of men and 15 per cent of woman who do say they would be visiting pubs less under a ban. These customers may be the mainstay of trade in some community locals and their loss could put these businesses seriously at risk.The boom in high street outlets and trendy bars also seems to have reversed and, according to our survey, the traditional British community local is firmly back in the consumers' good books with 40 per cent of women and 45 per cent of men agreeing it was their favourite type of pub.Good news, then, for licensees in community pubs. But competition between pubs and restaurants remains an issue with our survey showing that while more than a quarter of our consumers still put pubs at the top of their list for a good night out, over 30 per cent of our sample rated restaurants as being their first choice. And a large number of pub-goers (more than 40 per cent) drink alcohol at home more than once a week - possible evidence of the trend towards home drinking and the off-trade that has hit the pub sector.It is also significant that over a fifth of those surveyed said they would drink alcohol at home before they headed out to the pub - again evidence that the off-trade must shoulder at least some of the responsibility for encouraging sensible drinking among consumers.
- Marketpublic is a mystery shopper agency which aims to research people's lifestyles to help operators target best their specific consumer groups.
1. How often do you visit a pub on average?
2. How often do you eat at the pub on average?
3. Do you smoke?
4. How often would you go to your local pub if smoking was banned there?
5. Would you be more likely to eat in pubs if smoking was banned?
6. How many different pubs have you visited in the past month?
7. Do you know what opening hours your local pub has applied for under licensing reform?
8. Will you spend more time in the pub when opening hours change on November 24?
9. Do you believe licensing reform will:
10. What time would you like your local pub to be open until?
11. When you visit the pub do you mainly drink:
12. Do you know which company/individual owns your local pub?
13. What is your favourite type of pub?
14. How would you rate customer service in pubs today?
15. What is your favourite way to relax/unwind?