More and more people are now going back to the pub, or at least considering it. Research from KAM Media’s Customer Sentiment Tracker reveals that the top 3 factors affecting venue choice are: 1) If they have been there before, 2) If the venue has a beer garden/outdoor space, and 3) If the venue has clear social distancing measures in place.

Startle’s Mind the Gap research reveals over a third (35.8%) of the UK population have now tried going back to the pub since lockdown ended (see graph 1) - a figure that has increased three-fold since July (12.9%).

But how fun are they finding the experience? Pub goers seem to be finding it a little less fun now compared to July, while overall the majority still find it less fun than before lockdown. Those finding the pub less fun than before was 54.6% in July, a figure that creeps up to 62.1% in August. Only 8.6% thought the pub experience more fun than before lockdown when surveyed back in July, a figure that has dropped a little lower in August to 5.5%.‍

Some stand out age-range statistics‍

Interestingly nearly half (46.6%) of all of those who strongly agree it is more fun now are aged 35-44 (see graph 2).

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Thoughts from our CEO, Adam Castleton:

"It's great to see more people returning to the pub. With Eat Out To Help Out fading into the distance along with the summer vibes, it's important to make sure that customers are having a good time (as well as a safe time). Covid-safe entertainment that cannot be replicated at home (such as group sport screening, games and pub quizzes) along with a great atmosphere, will help to keep customers coming back as the nights draw in."

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Surveys carried out July and August 2020. Sample sizes (n) >1000 people, UK Nat. Rep. with 95% confidence level & margin of error of +/- 5%.

*KAM Media – The Customer Sentiment Tracker, 24th August 2020.