Many local pubs are struggling: Are locals concerned?

Across the UK, nearly three thousand pubs shut their doors for good last year—the highest number in more than a decade.

Transcript

00:01Bristol pubs are at a crossroads. Across the UK, nearly 3,000 pubs shut their doors for good last year.

00:08The highest number in more than a decade. And here in Bristol, the challenges are just as stark.

00:13Rising costs, staff shortages and changing habits have forced dozens of venues to close.

00:20But despite the pressure, many local pubs are fighting back, adapting and in some cases thriving.

00:26So, what's really going on in Bristol's pub scene? And what does the future hold?

00:33I think you've got to let people decide for themselves, you know, see what's on offer and whether it suits them.

00:40It does, yes, because it's part of the structure of British society, really.

00:44And I do occasionally go out. I was out with a quiz last night and enjoyed it.

00:49And if the pubs were all to close, I don't know what people would do.

00:54It's a place to get together and meet other people.

00:59And just enjoy yourself occasionally.

01:03I've got mixed feelings, to be totally honest.

01:08I think they were a lovely thing in the past.

01:11And I think they're still a good thing to keep.

01:15But what can you do? Because people can't drink and drive.

01:18They can't smoke inside.

01:20And by nature, usually people that go in pubs, those are two of the things they want to do.

01:24I use pubs for pub food.

01:27They suit me for that.

01:29And I'll even have tea outside.

01:31But the drinking culture, I think, there's no choice.

01:35It just needs to be a thing of the past.

01:37Bristol has lost more than 40 pubs in the last 10 years.

01:41Some historic venues have been turned into flats or cafes, while others sit empty.

01:47Vixens of soaring rent and plummeting footfall.

01:50The city once had over 400 traditional pubs.

01:53Today, their number is closer to 350.

01:57And with Pints now averaging at £6 in many areas, some customers are staying home.

02:03But it's not all bad news.

02:06Some neighbourhoods are seeing mini-revivals, with new micro-pubs and community takeovers.

02:12The way Bristolians use pubs is changing.

02:15Weekday drinkers have disappeared.

02:17Do you think generally there could be more support to local pubs?

02:23Difficult.

02:24I don't know what support might be.

02:27Some sort of financial reduction, say, of rates and things like that.

02:33I don't know how much that would help.

02:36Are there any pubs in your local area that you particularly enjoy going to?

02:39Have you got any favourites?

02:40Well, I've got the two at the end of the street.

02:43One at one end and one at the other.

02:45And then we go off to the Crazy Cow, no, the After Cow and the Inn on the Green.

02:53Those are the four that I sort of frequent.