Powered by Lumina Intelligence’s industry-leading data sources, this report combines robust market sizing, outlet tracking, operator performance and behavioural insight from 78,000 annual consumer surveys. It provides unparalleled visibility of the strategic trends, challenges and commercial opportunities defining pubs and bars today and into the future.
In 2025, key themes include the rapid adoption of hybrid and accommodation-led formats, a sector-wide push for operational efficiency, increased investment in community and premium-led pub models, and the growing influence of loyalty schemes, technology integration, and low-tempo, relaxation-led occasions. Shifting consumer habits — from the rise of younger alcohol occasions to the expanding role of women’s and niche sports — present both fresh opportunities and evolving competitive pressures.
Who is this report for?
This report is essential reading for pub and bar operators, food and drink suppliers to the on-trade, category, brand and channel teams, investors, commercial strategists, analysts, consultants, and industry media seeking a comprehensive understanding of the UK pubs and bars landscape.
What questions will this report help you answer?
- How large is the UK pubs & bars market in 2025, and how is it forecast to change by 2028?
- What are the leading challenges, cost pressures, and growth opportunities facing the sector?
- How are major pub companies adapting through estate restructuring, new concepts, and investment strategies?
- How are consumers using pubs differently by mission, occasion, location, and daypart?
- Which formats, occasions, and locations are showing the most growth and driving value?
- What role do loyalty, drink-led occasions, sport, and premiumisation play in driving footfall, spend, and performance?
- How are trends such as hybrid models, technology adoption, and changing consumer behaviours shaping the market?
- What strategic risks and opportunities will define the future of pubs, and how should suppliers and operators prepare?
Table of contents
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Market Insight
Including the latest UK market valuation and outlet count, forecasts to 2028, key macroeconomic influences,
and the major structural shifts impacting growth and resilience across pub formats. -
Competitive Landscape
Covers performance and strategic priorities of the UK’s top pub companies, including M&A activity,
estate rationalisation, new concept innovation, investment hotspots, and the rise of accommodation-led
and experiential formats. -
Consumer Insight
Explores who’s returning to pubs and why — including visit frequency, missions, spend, demographic shifts,
and the growing influence of loyalty, value perception, drink-led occasions and post-work rituals. -
Future Outlook
A forward-looking assessment of where the market is heading next, including forecasted growth to 2028,
operational risks, evolving consumer expectations, and strategic themes shaping long-term opportunity.
Methodology
This report is powered by Lumina Intelligence’s full suite of insight tools, including:
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Eating & Drinking Out Panel
Tracking the behaviour of 1,500 nationally representative consumers each week, building up to a sample of
78,000 every year. This covers all eating out channels and day-parts (including snacking),
from 2020 to 2025. -
Operator Data Index
Continuous turnover and outlet data on 400+ UK pub, restaurant, QSR, sandwich and coffee shop operators.
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External Data Sources
Lumina Intelligence also uses external sources, including desk research, the Office for National Statistics
(ONS), GfK Consumer Confidence Index, and EY ITEM Club economic indicators.
