We understand the Government has to generate revenues, however, putting a greater burden on the hospitality sector, and especially pubs, which are already marginal businesses is not the answer. Particularly without corresponding rises for multinational corporations.
The financial squeeze on pubs and hospitality is relentless and waiting for the next political U-turn is not a sustainable strategy.
We’ll be fooling ourselves to think the economy will bounce back. We’re facing a far greater systemic problem, with increasing wealth inequality and a fight for diminishing and finite planetary resources.
But, bearing in mind that well-known saying about a certain group of people not grinding you down, I believe in fighting back.
At Stroud Brewery, we’ve already hosted an emergency meeting of local publicans to collectively plan our strategies for survival and mutual support. And it’s been heartening to hear so many of our customers voicing their concern, even anger, at pubs being stretched beyond their viable limits. It confirms the public is on our side – something we can use to our advantage.
Moving beyond cost battles
For too long, the economic cycle has forced us into a defensive battle: judging the bottom line, battling rising costs and anticipating the next round of Budget financial squeezes. This has to change. The key to navigating these challenges lies in a more proactive, values-based approach that moves beyond simple price wars.
Market research is clear: consumers want to support local, independent producers, especially those supporting their communities, the local economy, and the planet. A core survival strategy for pubs must be to unashamedly demonstrate their own commitment to these shared values. Keeping the pound local and having it re-spent in the immediate economy helps us all. We need to reduce the pounds disappearing offshore to Guernsey or further afield.
As MD of a B Corporation certified brewery producing organically produced beer, I’ve seen first-hand how powerful these credentials are. They act as a strong differentiator, attracting and retaining a growing segment of socially conscious consumers who are prepared to pay more for their pint when they understand the genuine, additional benefits it brings.
Pubs don’t need to embark on the complex process of B Corp or organic certification to reap the rewards. Simply stocking quality beer from suppliers who’ve gone through this rigorous, third-party verification offers multiple benefits:
Competitive edge: in a crowded and challenging market, offering products with strong ethical and trustworthy credentials and pints that genuinely support biodiversity in the immediate landscape, helps your pub stand out, especially from competitors making vague ‘green’ claims.
Meeting consumer demand: over 50% of the UK public actively look for certifications like B Corp and organic, especially younger generations, and are willing to spend more on value-aligned brands.
Publicity opportunities: stocking organic and B Corp beer can offer joint marketing opportunities, press features, and positive social media engagement, raising your pub’s profile as a responsible operator.
Attracting talent: Associating your pub with purpose-driven suppliers makes your establishment more attractive to job seekers.
When customers are deciding which pub gets their limited, hard-earned, going-out money, the knowledge that their pint is also ‘doing good’ will be the crucial differentiator that drives them to your door.
As an industry, we need to get better at differentiating these values and telling the stories behind beers and brands that are genuinely striving towards a positive vision for the future.
