Four in 10 adults ‘never visit pub’

38% of British adults never visit their local pub and more than a third visit it less often than they did 12 months ago, according to a recent survey by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA)

The figures come as CAMRA launched its Community Pubs Month which runs throughout April, in a bid to help community pubs raise their profile with pub-goers.

The independent research, commissioned by CAMRA, highlighted the need for local pubs to communicate with their immediate community with 80% of pub-goers stating they had never received any communication from their pub, but 24% said they would be encourage to visit more often if they had been informed of events and offers.

The results also revealed concern that regular pub-goers, who visit pubs ‘once a week or more’, had decreased from 24% to 15% in the last five years.

Currently 28 pubs in Britain close every week.

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.”

April’s Community Pubs Month encourages pubs to organise events and try new marketing initiatives to improve communication with their communities and drive trade into their pubs.

Valentine added: “Although many pubs excel in communication, it is clear that a lot of pubs need to engage more with their local community if they want to be successful. Organising events that appeal to the local community and communicating what they have planned is a necessity according to this report. Many successful pubs send out regular communication to their community through social media, e-newsletters, press releases to the local media and leaflet drops. We hope Community Pubs Month will give the less inexperienced pub marketers the opportunity to try different communication methods in April.”

A selection of upcoming pub events across Britain in April:-

• Knit ‘n’ Natter, 28 April, Scalextric Championships, 14 April, and a variety of music acts throughout the month.
• The Woodman, Outwood, Wakefield, WF1 2LU – The pub will host a charity music festival on 19 April for the Ben Manning Music Foundation who help disadvantaged families get their children in to music.
• Iron Horse Ranch House, Market Depping PE6 8EB – The pub will host a Skool of Rock & Roll event on 11 to 13 April to will raise money for Sense and The National Association for Bikers with a Disability.
• The Alexandra, Farnborough, Hants, GU14 7PH – Variety of music acts including Friday Night Fever on 11 April and a Motown charity evening on 18 April.
• King of the Belgians, Hartford, Huntingdon, PE29 1XU – Easter egg hunt, Good Friday raffle, quiz night, music quiz night, St Georges party and chocolate raffle for all charity.
• The Bull, Blackmore End, Braintree, Essex, CM7 4DD – Bank Holiday weekend (18 to 21st) will see the pub host a sausage eating competition, magic, face painting, gourmet BBQ, children’s 5-a-side football competition, young bakers competition and Easter egg hunt.