Consumers demand better technology in pubs

By Sophie Witts

- Last updated on GMT

Consumers demand better technology in pubs

Related tags Alcoholic beverage Public house

Over a quarter of consumers would like to see improved technology in pubs to allow them to work away from home, according to the latest Greene King Leisure Spend Tracker report.

A study of 4,000 households found that 27 per cent of people would like to see sites offering facilities such as wifi to help them work.

The results present an opportunity for businesses to capitalise on changing consumer behavior, with research indicating that fewer than one in 10 pub visits are now solely for drinking purposes.

Fiona Gunn, Greene King’s marketing director, said: “There is no doubt that the pub will always be the watering hole of choice for Brits but today’s report shows that it can be even more diverse.

“With flexible working on the rise, increasing numbers of people are now using the pub as a ‘third space’, establishing the pub as not just a second home but a place of work as well.”

Pubs are continuing to evolve their food and technology offering in response to modern customer demand.

Stonegate recently opened its 15th​ technology driven pub site​, featuring wifi-linked printers, phone chargers, and a coffee shop-style grab-and-go counter serving hot drinks and pastries.

Young's pub company is also expanding its Burger Shack concept​ to 20 pubs across its estate in a bid to cater to a more 'modern, urban demographic'. 

Earlier this year research from HospitalityGEM​ identified the coffee market as representing a ‘strong opportunity’ for pubs to generate extra revenue, with two thirds of customers expecting good quality coffee in pubs.

Greene King’s research also found that 64 per cent of British adults rate the pub as an important economic and social asset to the local community, while 14 per cent felt that pubs should do more to contribute to the local area.

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