Glass half full for local pubs

With the sun shining and thirsty consumers everywhere, global brewer Molson Coors couldn't have picked a better week to encourage local publicans about the future of our pub sector.
Molson Coors Ireland, which has bases in Belfast and Dublin, unveiled the results of a study into local consumer and pub trade trends at an event in The Dark Horse, Belfast, this week.

Guests from across the sector as well as business, consumer and drinks trade media joined Molson Coors at the Cathedral Quarter venue to hear the results of the study and sample a bespoke beer & food matched menu.

So, what's going down at your local? The study concluded that despite pubs across Northern Ireland closing at a rate of one to two each week, the majority of publicans (62%) are determined to survive the recession and are digging-in through innovation and investment in their businesses. This tenacity also exists despite the fact that 49% of Northern Ireland pubs have lost sales over the past two years.

Are we still in love with our pubs? Molson Coors' research also showed that 56% of NI pub goers go to their local less than they did two years ago, but 85% (85.2%) would visit their local more frequently if pubs offered features such as free WiFi and better food and entertainment.

Speaking at the event, Country Manager for Molson Coors Ireland Niall Phelan commented on how pubs in Northern Ireland are leading the way with their tenacity, optimism and innovation.. and announced that a £125,000 fund will be announced in the next month by Molson brand Carling to help pubs implement changes identified in the research that would positively impact their business and the consumer experience.