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Radio 2 DJ, author and presenter Sara Cox has joined forces with Punch Pubs and Co and Northumbria University to show the value of pubs to their communities.
Cox (above) said: “I’m hugely passionate about pubs, my mum ran the Pineapple in Bolton while I was growing up, so pub culture has been a big part of my life. Pubs, for me, are a place where brilliant memories are made and friendships for life are formed.
“This research is a powerful reminder of just how much pubs matter, yet more than one pub a day closes, and we lost 366 of them last year alone. That a pub provides jobs and supports local farmers, butchers and bakers is evident, but this research also illustrates what the pub means for ordinary folk up and down the country.
“Nowadays, you can eat, drink, sing, play board games, knit, natter, or attend a book club in a pub – but it doesn’t matter what you do, the most important thing is that we use our pubs. If we don’t, it’ll be far more than somewhere to go and have a pint that we’ll miss out on, our social links and community support will be lost as well.”
The report, The Public’s House: The True Economic and Social Value of Pubs, showcases the real value of locals looking beyond just their economic output, to the unique contribution that they make to society.
The research highlights how pubs provide vital social infrastructure, enhance wellbeing, tackle loneliness, strengthen local identities, foster everyday connections, and generate millions in charitable contributions.
The insight reveals the Punch estate delivers £1.7bn in economic and social value to the UK economy each year. The analysis also reveals annual trends showing:
- a Punch pub, on average, is estimated to spend as much as £56,000 on local suppliers
- the business injects up to £70m into the wider economy
- across its 1,250-strong estate, the business generates £4m in charitable contributions.
The entire pub sector contributes at least £142m in social value per annum, based on each Punch pub generating an estimated £3,200 every year in charitable contributions via sponsorship, advertising support to community groups and providing use of venue space.
However, the figure is a conservative one, as many of the community contributions made by pubs are, literally, priceless. From providing safe spaces for the vulnerable, company for the lonely (one in four UK adults report they feel lonely “often or always”), to giving advice and support to those in need, and providing a welcoming and safe space for all, such benefits in kind cannot be monetised.
Punch chief executive Andy Spenver said: "Hospitality is an incredible industry to be a part of, and what continues to inspire me is the extraordinary creativity and adaptability I see demonstrated every day.
“It’s no secret that, in common with many other industries, the operating environment is currently challenging, but publicans are responding with innovation and a real commitment to their communities.
“Our report highlights an important factor in the sector’s ongoing success and resilience: pubs with strong community engagement tend to be more commercially successful, while also building lasting guest loyalty that supports repeat visits, recommendation and long-term growth.
“We also know the hospitality industry doesn’t just create value through its own activity; it also has a ripple effect on the wider economy. The value of the pub to society is undeniable, protecting and supporting the sector isn’t just about safeguarding businesses, it’s about strengthening our communities.”
