One in five drink in a pub 'at least once a week'

New research from Mintel shows that Yorkshire and the north east is the most pub-friendly area with 31% drinking there every week, compared to 16% in the south west and Wales.

The report reinforces the importance of food with 22% saying it was the most important factor.

Mintel estimates that total pub turnover reached £22.6bn in 2014, up from £20.6bn in 2010, with pub grub largely driving growth in the market.

Almost half (47%) of those polled agree that pubs are an important part of the British way of life, but new research from Mintel reveals that some parts of the country are particularly frequent pub goers.

In Yorkshire and the north east 14% say that they drink in a pub twice a week or more, compared to a national average of just 8%.

One in five (20%) ranked cheaper drinks as the top reason that what make them more likely to visit pubs or bars more often then they currently do. However, 38% said they now expect pubs to have a high quality food menu, while 54% say they could be encouraged to visit pubs or bars more often in the coming year if they had more appealing food. A total of 72% of those who have eaten in a pub say they opt for homemade dishes, underlining the importance of these types of meals. Meanwhile, 54% of consumers choose dishes with locally sourced ingredients and 38% pick plates with seasonal ingredients.

Chris Wisson, Senior Drinks Analyst at Mintel, said: “The quality and credibility of pub food has made notable progress over the past five years as they have competed for consumers’ limited leisure spend. However, that ‘higher-quality food’ is the leading enticement for visiting pubs more often suggests that further improvements would still be welcomed. It also underlines how central food has become to the idea of going to the pub and how important it is in many customers’ decision-making process.” Chris adds.

The pub’s location is also still a pivotal aspect. Three in ten (31%) pub goers claim that location is the most important for them when deciding which pub to visit, rising to 37% of those in Yorkshire and the North East.

Wisson said: “In less urban areas in particular, pubs can be an important community space for residents to meet and socialise. Providing an experience more tailored to the local catchment area, by stocking products from local brewers and farmers for example, can be a good way for landlords to underline their importance and relevance to the community.”