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Issue 98 Spring 2022 £4.95 magazine.inapub.co.uk
INDIES’ CHOICE
2022 What’s selling in the nation’s pubs p01 cover idea_converted.indd 1
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M I T F E L S Q U E L LWA S S E R G E B R A U T
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drinkaware.co.uk 15.11.19 12:49 18/03/2022 07:48
t’s back! After a pandemicinduced hiatus, the Inapub Indies’ Choice survey is back for 2022, thanks to all our readers who took the time to answer this year’s questions and tell us a bit about their business. Some things haven’t changed since our last survey in 2019 – your bestselling ale is still Doom Bar, and your bestselling lager remains Carling – but there have been some interesting changes in the post-pandemic world. Covid has speeded up some of the trends that were already emerging in 2019. It shows growth in areas such as no and low alcohol drinks and vegan and “free from” food. Most interestingly, licensees told us customers were upgrading to more premium products. Those buying standard lager are switching to premium world lager, wine drinkers are more discerning and diners are upping spend or treating themselves to a dessert or starter. The barren days of lockdown have underlined what a treat being able to socialise in a pub is, and customers want to enjoy every minute. This brings opportunities for pubs to really pull out the stops with the “pub experience”, with events from street food festivals to “competitive socialising” occasions such as escape rooms, board games or even axe throwing. Thirty per cent of pubs already have a function room perfect for this type of venture, and 57 per cent now have a covered outside area crying out for some creative new use. This is all great news for publicans. Not only do they benefit from the premium prices customers will pay for an upgrade, but they become a more valued part of their customers’ social repertoire – “going down the local” has once again become something to be valued and savoured, not taken for granted. The Inapub Team
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what’s new Highlights of the Indies’ Choice survey
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drink trends for 2022 • cider
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eat
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play Live sport at The Anlaby Park
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stay bedroom business is back
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ideas Elton Mouna checks out pubs with four-legged punters
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time at the bar Richard Molloy • Postcard from the Pub Frontline
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dining in the post-pandemic world • snacks
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Editor Caroline Nodder Contributors Claire Dodd, Andrew Ives, John Porter, Richard Molloy Production editor Ben Thrush
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Chief executive Barrie Poulter Sales manager Katy Robinson Subscriptions 0800 160 1986 • magazine@inapub.co.uk
14/03/2022 21:26