20% of Scots hosts considered pub exit

The report, Sociable Scotland, found that figure rises to a third of publicans in rural areas (34%) and over a quarter (26%) of freeholders.

More than half of the 201 licensees interviewed for the report said that they believed that the industry prospects were poor or very poor. This was despite 47% of consumers — 1,000 were questioned — stating that pubs played a positive role in local communities, compared to only 17% who felt that their impact was negative.

While many publicans had concerns for the industry as a whole, and had seen a cut in sales in the past two years, the study found that 56% saw their own business prospects as good or excellent over the next five years.

Molson Coors said that the negative outlook for the sector came “as a result of a steep decline in business over the last two years”. The report found that one in two (46%) Scots said they go to the pub less frequently than they did in 2009.

Trade in lower income groups and students saw a fall of 41% and 54% respectively. Lower income groups claimed that squeezed in-comes and social reasons were to blame. A third of 18 to 43-year-olds said that they did not go to the pub because their friends didn’t either; and 31% of 35 to 44-year-olds cited family commitments as the reason for fewer visits.

Only 5% of Scots felt that the entertainment was better at home than in the pub.

Phil Whitehead, managing director, Molson Coors, Scotland, said: “It is obviously a challenging time for the trade but this report demonstrates there are huge numbers of publicans in Scotland doing the right things. We’re committed to working with our customers in Scotland to help them provide the atmosphere, the products and the experience that will enable them to thrive even in this tough market.”