‘Pubs are the Best Social Networking Sites’
CAMRA launches first ever Community Pubs Month
www.communitypubsmonth.org.uk
New CAMRA research* shows pubs play an integral role throughout the lives of local communities
– New research shows just under 9 in 10 young pub going adults (89%) visit their local pub to meet friends and socialise.
– Other new research reveals out of all UK regular pub goers, 1 in 4 currently married couples (25%) first met their partner down the pub!
– Further findings show over 1 in 3 adults (36%) say their local community uses their pub for events such as weddings, christenings and funerals.
Issued: Monday April 2nd 2012
Status: For immediate use
On a day when over 5,500 pubs across the UK are toasting the launch of Community Pubs Month, CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale has kick started its festivities with new research showing how local pubs play an integral role right the way through the lives of people in local communities.
Since 2008, over 4,500 pubs have closed across the nation, with licensees battered by high beer tax, greedy pub companies, soaring overheads, and discount booze deals from major supermarket chains. With so many pubs permanently closing their doors on a weekly basis, scores of surrounding local communities are left without their social hub.
Community Pubs Month has therefore been launched by CAMRA to champion pubs as invaluable community assets, and outlets which vast numbers of local people across the UK rely upon so heavily during their daily lives.
Pubs are vital meeting places for young adults, with just under 9 in 10 of them using their local to meet friends and socialise. Further to this, in a poll to regular pub goers, 1 in 4 currently married couples said they first met their current spouse/partner down the pub.
Mike Benner, CAMRA Chief Executive, spoke in the wake of these new findings. He said:
‘Pubs are the beating hearts of countless communities across the land, and without their existence, society would be a lot worse off.
‘CAMRA’s new campaign is all about reaffirming the vital importance of local pubs, and the essential role they play in many people’s lives. CAMRA’s research shows people turn to their local pub during meaningful events, so whether you are a real ale lover, or someone who enjoys the weekly quiz down your local, pubs are a core part of our identity and heritage.
‘With the launch of Community Pubs Month, CAMRA is urging local communities this April to back their local licensees and give them the support they need during these difficult economic times. Pubs are the original social networking sites, and will continue to provide an invaluable community service as long as they are used by the local people that surround them.’
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Notes to editors-
* CAMRA Tracking Survey, undertaken by TNS, January 2012, polling 1,000 adults across the UK.
For local events, participating pubs and further information on Community Pubs Month, please visit www.communitypubsmonth.org.uk
Nationally, over 5,500 pubs across the UK have been signed up to Community Pubs Month.
For further information-
CAMRA Press Office, 01727 798443
Jon Howard, CAMRA Press Manager, 07939 425471