Preston pubs need support in January especially and play a vital role in fighting social isolation, according to a volunteer body supporting the industry.
January is a famously challenging month for pubs who have always had to contend with depleted wallets and cold weather but now also the increasing prevalence of strict health resolutions.
Richard Langford, Vice Chairman of Central Lancashire CAMRA, told Blog Preston: “Pubs really are at the heart of our communities and need our support now more than ever.
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“Sometimes Dry January is seen as steering people away from pubs, but the reality is that they play a vital role in reducing social isolation and there is no need to drink alcohol whilst there, so we would encourage pubgoers to continue to support their locals this month.”
Pubs have tried to tackle this yearly trend offering discounts specifically on non-alcoholic drinks to support individuals taking part in Dry January.
Steve Whittaker, manager of The Station on Butler Street, has been in the pub trade industry for over 35 years.
He said: “It’s nothing new – people don’t have money in their pocket, that’s what it comes down to.
“Normally in January we will always do sales, it’s giving back to the customers a reward for the time they’ve come in, so we are promoting dry January with the sale prices.
“If anyone’s doing Dry January they’re coming out, because coming out is not just about going out and drinking, going out is about socialising.
“It’s where you meet people, it’s when you get out of your house and it’s out of those four walls that you’ve been locked up in.”
It’s not purely about resolutions – the quality and quantity of alcohol free options has risen in line with demand for them.
Jonny Yates, owner and manager of the Winckley Street Ale House told Blog Preston: “I don’t find the Dry January affects us that much over people just having a quieter month after the indulgence that December often is.
“Sales of alcohol free and low alcohol beer are spiking, and the craft industry has some *really* good alcohol-free alternatives these days, so we actually have people coming in specifically to seek them out.”
Of course, with cold weather a factor in keeping people at home, a roaring fire can help.
Cam Parker, bartender at The Black Horse pub said: “We attract people with the fire on really, for the most part people like the warmth. The weather is cold. I’ve heard from a few customers that it keeps people inside rather than bringing them out.
“We just accept it as a dead season in some sense, we make so much money over Christmas that it’s ok to have dead periods sometimes.”
But pubs face severe threats – with over 500 closures expected in the UK across the next year due to rising costs and changes to business rates.
Labour confirmed this week it is preparing a package to provide ‘temporary support’ for pubs. An announcement is expected before the end of the month.
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