Real ale pulls out of sales dive
Beer sales in pubs have slumped by 10 per cent to reach their lowest point since the 1930s, according to figures just released by the British Beer & Pub Association.
But the market for real ale is largely holding up, with sales down by just 1.3 per cent in the past year.
The Society of Independent Brewers is cautiously optimistic that the downward trend is levelling out. Chief executive Julian Grocock told the Campaign for Real Ale: "There is little doubt that our members are doing well by concentrating on quality local beers which offer cash-strapped drinkers something new and exciting to try as people turn away from standard quaffing lagers to quality real ales."
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Toby Jugg - A former newspaper reporter, Steve Green now works as a freelance journalist and technical writer. He first joined the Campaign for Real Ale in the mid-1980s and currentlyproduces a regular column for Solihull CAMRA in the Solihull Times, under the pseudonym "Toby Jugg".
Pub sales are probably down because of the smoking ban. I know a lot of people who just drink at home now.
I don't buy the smoking ban argument. The real reason why pubs are closing is nothing to do with the Chancellor, Tesco, or the smoking ban. It’s down to poor business management. Many pubs have failed to realise that they are part of the hospitality and entertainment industry. The sooner that publicans realise that the world doesn’t owe them a living, the sooner they’ll do themselves a favour. Pubs need to offer welcoming hospitality, an attractive and comfortable environment, value for money (this doesn’t necessarily mean cheap by any means) and customers leaving with the feeling that they’ve had a really good time. Most of the pubs I frequent seem to be doing quite well. I drink at places that offer a good selection of well kept real ale and well cooked food. Do it well, and people will keep coming back and part with their money.