After high demand and a shortage of Guinness, independent pubs face Dry January and call on pub patrons to visit at least once a week.
In 2024 alone, England and Wales lost more than one pub per day, continuing a trend that has seen the number of pubs across the country decline sharply since the pandemic, from 40,617 in 2020 to 38,989 in 2024.
Research indicates that, at the current trend, Britain could have fewer than 1,000 pubs remaining by 2074.
Participation in Dry January increased by over 30% in 2024 compared to 2023.
To encourage visits during Dry January, over 70 independent pubs have teamed up to offer a unique Christmas gift: £100 worth of food and drink, redeemable right after the holiday season.
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The scheme, which will soon include 80 pubs, has already distributed over £500,000 worth of food and drink to Londoners
After the hectic Christmas season, during which pubs managed Christmas parties and dealt with the Guinness shortage, they now face the most dreaded period for the hospitality industry: Dry January.
To combat the significant drop in footfall, a community of independent pubs in London has taken action, inviting Londoners to set a goal of visiting an independent pub at least once a week.
To support this initiative, the community is offering free food and drink through the CityStack London Pub Collection voucher scheme.
There is no need to remind anyone of the ongoing turmoil the hospitality industry has been facing for years.
This has been brought sharply into focus by the latest government figures, which show that more than one pub per day in England and Wales closed permanently in 2024, with a total of 412 establishments shutting down.
The total number of pubs fell from 39,401 in December 2023 to 38,989 in December 2024, continuing an alarming trend that has been happening for decades. In London alone, nearly a thousand pubs have disappeared over the last twenty years, representing a staggering decrease of over 20%.
This is the result of a culmination of significant challenges that continue to weigh heavily on pubs.
The top concerns are:
- Soaring beer prices
- Rising property rents
- Business rates increase
- Pay television sports channels subscription fee hikes
- Mortgage interest rate rises
- Soaring energy bills
- Guinness shortage
- Council regulations
As every year, publicans nervously enter the first quarter, as it is often the most challenging time for many independent pubs.
During this period, these establishments contend with a sharp drop in footfall due to Dry January, poor weather, and customers reassessing their leisure budgets – all while managing the same overheads. Sadly, many struggle to stay afloat amidst these numerous obstacles.
This is why a community of over 70 independent pubs has joined the CityStack initiative, offering free food and drink to Londoners who received their London Pub Collection as a Christmas gift. This community aims to make Londoners aware of the challenges these small businesses face during Dry January and urges them to set a goal of visiting at least one independent pub each week during this period.
Alison Boutoille, founder of CityStack said, “The significant drop in footfall between the last quarter of the year and the first is always difficult for small businesses like independent pubs, as they still have operating costs to cover.
“Many don’t make it through this quiet period. This is why we urge every Londoner to visit at least one independent pub per week, even if they are participating in Dry January. There are plenty of offers for teetotallers – snacks, roast, soft drinks and alcohol-free beer. If every Londoner made the effort to visit an independent pub once a week, it would greatly help these businesses survive this challenging time.”
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