The British pub has evolved over the years and, although many are struggling financially, it is still at the heart of many communities. But what do people want the pub of the future to be like? A new survey gives a few important pointers to the hospitality industry.
The survey, done by YouGov for at-table ordering service, me&u, reveals that Meta-mealtimes, satisfied staff and pubs playing a changing role will shape the future of British venues going forward.
As pubs continue to emerge from the pandemic and cope with the cost-of-living crisis, the survey gives hope that if they evolve, they will succeed. But it will be the ones customers believe have a heart that will prosper most.
The main finding of the survey are:
- 76% of Brits who visit venues expect smart technology to be part of most venues in the near future
- Four in 10 (38%) Brits who visit venues want to be able to visit a venue in the metaverse to see what it is like before visiting it in real life
- Heart remains at the forefront of hospitality, with 86% agreeing that while technology can be useful, venues are all about people and human interaction
- Pubs and bars play a changing role, with 71% looking for venues to adapt to different needs across the day or week including offering flexible ‘work from venue’ options and changeable day-to-night or family facilities
- Four in 10 state that in the future they will be happy to visit a venue that is completely alcohol free, with 28% expecting to drink less in the future, and 17% expecting to give up alcohol for good in the next five years
me&u has produced a report, Pubs, Pints & Predictions: Hospitality Ten Years On. It uncovers what the bar of 2032 will look like and the trends that will redefine what it means to go out.
James Winstanley, UK country manager at me&u, said: “With the pandemic and the staffing crisis, it has been a critical time in the UK for those in the hospitality industry. We have created the report to help offer venues a greater understanding of the changing wants and needs from their customers with insights from new YouGov research. We hope this report empowers venues to arm themselves with the right tools and technologies they need to future-proof their businesses and most importantly, maximise their customer’s experience.”
Interestingly, the YouGov survey also reveals that since the pandemic, 84% of Brits have changed their night-out habits. People are starting and finishing their nights earlier (37%) and are less willing to stand in long queues (57%).
And customers are much more conscious of environmental issues now. Some 74% of customers think hospitality venues produce a worrying amount of waste from disposable items and 78% are concerned about the industry’s food waste.
At the end of the day, however, mixing with people is still the most important factor when going to a pub – and that can't be replaced by artificial intelligence. Almost nine in 10 (86%) agree that while technology can be useful, they feel venues are all about people and human interactions.
