Despite ongoing closures across hospitality, pubs remain one of the sector’s most resilient categories, accounting for 36% of all licensed venues in Britain, according to CGA data.
Both community and high street pubs are in modest year-on-year growth, marking a turnaround from a decade of decline.
Weekly visitation to community pubs has increased by seven percentage points compared with 2024, according to new data.
The growth has been led by Gen Z (+11pp) and millennial (+17pp) customers, who are more likely to visit when venues feel authentic, safe and inclusive.
Rise in social occasions
Almost half of hospitality leaders (49%) expect pubs to thrive over the next 12 months, up six percentage points year-on-year, driven by the rise in planned social occasions such as sports screenings, quizzes and after-work gatherings.
32% of operators have added entertainment to their offer this year, more than double the figure reported in 2024.
43% percent of consumers said feeling part of a community influences where they eat or drink, while one in five said it is now more important for their local to “feel local” than a year ago.
‘Craving for connection’
CGA client director Danielle Rowlands said: “Almost three quarters of consumers go out as their main way to socialise with people, growing 10 percentage points compared to last year’s study, and increasing even further for the next generation of consumers. This universal craving for community and connection is far more buoyant than trend cycles, even in challenging conditions.”
“As the local pub continues to deliver, it’s fundamental for both operators and suppliers to understand how and where these emotional ties form,” Rowlands said. “Because this is the key to long-term loyalty, advocacy, and growth.”
CGA commercial leader for UK & Ireland Rachel Weller added: “With pubs increasingly attracting a younger crowd with evolving expectations, the first step for any brand or supplier is to truly understand this new consumer base—their needs, drink preferences, and the influences that shape their choices. From there, it’s critical to move away from a ‘one size fits all’ mindset."
“You simply can’t approach 36,000 outlets with the same sales story; there’s too much variation,” Weller continued. “Instead, we need tailored, targeted strategies that speak directly to each segment. Finally, activation must be relevant to the customer. Tools like PubTrack offer invaluable insights into non-branded estates and bespoke pub segments, helping us craft strategies that genuinely resonate.”
Community pubs have increasingly become multi-generational spaces that serve as social hubs for both younger and older guests, reinforcing their role as the “third place” between home and work.
