London's Pubs

As part of the Cultural Infrastructure Plan, an annual audit of pubs using the Inter-Departmental Business Register data is produced. The most recent report shows that:

• Between 2017 and 2018 there was no net loss of pubs in London, with a small net increase in inner London.
• The number of pubs in London was virtually unchanged between 2017 and 2018, with London seeing a net gain of 10 pubs (0.3 per cent). This follows a net loss of 85 pubs (2.4 per cent) between 2016 and 2017.
• There was a mixed picture between boroughs. While 11 boroughs saw a net increase in pubs, 13 saw a fall in pub numbers and 9 saw no change.
• There were small increases in the number of pubs both with fewer than 10 employees and pubs with 10 or more employees. Despite this, total employment in London’s pubs was unchanged between 2017 and 2018.
• London is akin to other UK city regions in terms of trends in total pubs numbers. However, London is unusual in having more large pubs and more employment in pubs now than in 2001.
• A large proportion of jobs in London pubs continue to be paid below the London Living Wage. The share of jobs paid below the London Living Wage in pubs was higher than in the accommodation and food sector overall.

The traditional London pub has long been a part of everyday life in the capital and research shows that, despite ongoing pressures, they remain a key part of life in the capital. In March 2019 we carried out a pubs opinion poll.

It found that:

• A total of 74% of Londoners think that they are important for the city’s cultural heritage, with 45% visiting a pub at least once a month.
• The main reason behind a visit is to socialise with friends (68%) and eat (27%).
• Inner Londoners are more likely to visit a pub regularly than outer Londoners.