"Thirty-eight years separate pub landlords Coby Morton, 28, who runs the Dolphin Inn in Shrewsbury, and Jason Osborne, 66, who operates four pubs across the country, including the Raven in central London. In that time, our drinking habits and the fate of our pubs have changed dramatically. After a stagnant period in the 1980s, alcohol consumption soared in the late 1990s until, by 2004 a year termed peak booze by The New Statesman Britons drank 9.5 litres of alcohol per person."
"In recent years, our appetite for drinking has dwindled, especially among young people. Earlier this year, a survey carried out by Savanta found nearly half (43%) of 18-34-year-olds in Britain do not drink alcohol. This, combined with rising costs, has had a huge knock-on effect on pubs. Last year, more than 400 shut their doors and in the first half of 2025, 200 more followed."
Two pub landlords span 38 years in age and experience, illustrating sector change. Alcohol consumption rose from a stagnant 1980s to a 2004 peak of 9.5 litres per person, then declined, especially among 18–34-year-olds; a Savanta survey found 43% of that group do not drink. Falling demand and rising costs prompted over 400 pub closures last year and 200 in the first half of 2025. One landlord progressed from bar staff to tenant in his twenties; another shifted from photography after digitisation and now owns four pubs. Reduced bar-standing has diminished social conversation.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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