Four in ten adults never visit the pub, new research shows.
A poll has revealed 38% of British adults never go the pub and 36% visit their local less often than they did a year ago.
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) commissioned a survey of 1,000 people which showed that, while 24% of people said they would be more likely to visit their local if they knew what events were planned, 80% had never had any communication with their nearest pub.
CAMRA also expressed concern that the number of people visiting a pub “once a week or more” had decreased from 24% to 15% in the last five years.
The group released the figures as part of its Community Pubs Month, which encourages pubs to organise and events and try out new marketing initiatives to drive trade.
Colin Valentine, CAMRA’s chairman, said: “In 2009, 27% of adults ‘never’ visited pubs and in just five years this figure has increased to 38%.
“Many of these people (40%) state they do not use pubs because they no longer drink alcohol or have reduced the amount of alcohol they drink. Great community pubs are not only about enjoying alcoholic drinks. They are great places to relax, socialise, eat and spend time with the family.
“CAMRA and the pub industry have to work hard to get this message out and events such as Community Pubs Month will give us the platform to do this.”
He added that the campaign hoped to encourage pubs to try communicating with the public through social media, e-newsletters, press releases to the local media and leaflet drops.
