Exclusive: Food overtakes drink as most vital part of pubs' trade

Pubs are now officially food-led businesses, according to figures from the 2010 Publican Market Report.​

The annual survey of almost 1,000 licensees across the UK this year found the average pub relies on food for 52 per cent of its turnover, overtaking drink for the first time to become the most important part of a pub operator's trade.

This underlines the changing face of the British pub and suggests the trend towards food has been accelerated by the recent downturn which has forced licensees to look at growing more profitable sides of their trade.

It also mirrors the continued decline in on-trade beer sales in the UK.

This year's report also revealed a significant rise in the price of a pint in pubs, with the South East becoming the first place ever to see the average price of standard lager break the £3 a pint barrier.

Elsewhere the survey showed prices remain lower in the north, although the North East and North West took over from Scotland as the places where beer is sold cheapest - with average lager priced at £2.64 a pint.

Underlying the report there was also a greater sense of optimism among licensees than in previous years with nearly half expecting trade to increase over the next 12 months.

Caroline Nodder, editor of The Publican, said: "The Publican Market Report survey is always a really useful test of the trends in the pub trade but this year's has been more revealing than usual.

"It shows that publicans have risen to the challenge of the last year by evolving their businesses and are now offering quality food and drink to a more diverse group of customers than ever before. Let us hope their optimism for the future is founded and that next year's survey shows the significant growth the trade needs and deserves."

The 2010 Publican Market Report supplement will be included inside in the next issue of The Publican​.

More than 970 licensees responded to our survey this year and we would like to thank all those who did - and to congratulate licensee Heather Bowden, of The Bar in Instow, North Devon, who won the draw for a £250 cash prize. The cheque should be winging its way to her.