The data, which has been collated by payments solutions provider SumUp, has found the top 10 places with the highest rises in new pubs and bars openings.
Topping the list is Mansfield, in Nottinghamshire, where 65 pubs and bars have opened in 2024 compared to just 40 in 2020, representing a 62.5% uplift.
Next up is Chatham, in Kent, which has seen a 50% rise in new sites from 10 in 2020 to 15 now, while Basildon, in Essex, has enjoyed 20 new on-trade venue openings in 2024 versus 15 in 2020 – a 33.3% boost in openings.
Significant challenges
The report from SumUp, titled High Street Retail Trends 2024: The Thriving UK Cities & Industries, delved into a variety of sectors from the pubs and bars industry to high street retail growth and the likes of hairdressing and beauty businesses.
The report stated: “Public houses and bars have faced significant challenges in recent years.
“The pandemic strained the industry as restrictions kept people from gathering at their local spots, and with more commuters now working from home, the traditional after-work drink became less common.
“Rising taxes and a dip in disposable income added to these pressures. Yet despite a 2.6 % decrease in pubs and bars across the UK, some cities oppose this trend and are seeing a surge in industry openings.”
Essential component
The top 10 list is:
Town/city | 2020 | 2024 | Percentage increase |
---|---|---|---|
Mansfield | 40 | 65 | 62.5% |
Chatham | 10 | 15 | 50% |
Basildon | 15 | 20 | 33.3% |
Chester | 90 | 110 | 22.2% |
Blackpool | 100 | 120 | 20% |
Cheltenham | 75 | 90 | 20% |
Walsall | 25 | 30 | 20% |
Rotherham | 55 | 65 | 18.2% |
Coventry | 115 | 135 | 17.4% |
Basingstoke | 30 | 35 | 16.7% |
SumUp added: “The simple pub is one of the most recognisable places on the streets of Britain. In addition to being an essential component of British culture, pubs are also well-known worldwide for their popularity.
“The UK offers charming buildings that have stood the test of time and there is nothing that Brits love more than a trip down to their local for a catch-up over a pint with friends.
“The new study from SumUp, a provider of PoS systems, has identified the UK cities where pubs and bars are seeing the largest increase, to prove that the high street is not dying, but in fact, changing.”