Pubs' Tills Ringing but for Some Landlords It’s Last Orders

World Cup fever has tempted people out to the pub, but the crisis isn’t over yet

England’s World Cup run is throwing a lifeline to some in the UK’s battered pub sector with some boozers reporting roaring sales, packed beer gardens and football‑mad crowds belting out Hey Jude, Wonderwall and It’s Coming Home long into the night.

But behind the cheers, the reality is brutal: two pubs a day are still closing, costs are still through the roof, and for some landlords even a semi‑final isn’t enough to save their business.

3x SALES ON WEDNESDAY

Many of our pubs are increasing their orders ahead of the England v Argentina match on Wednesday (15th) gearing up for a bumper semi‑final. The 8pm start time is a winner.

But late kick‑offs have posed a problem for many pubs forcing them to shut outdoor screens early to avoid annoying neighbours. At 8pm no one is going to mind and so pubs with good outdoor spaces will be well set to attract the fans.

5.5 MILLION EXTRA PINTS SOLD

UK Hospitality says the World Cup has already pumped 5.5 million extra pints into the sector during the group stages alone. Sales are up 10%, and Wednesday could be even bigger. The better the England team does the better things will be for some. Football fever is at a peak this summer. But for many the crisis isn’t over.

SOME PUBS STILL EMPTY

Not everyone is riding the football wave. It’s different stories in different pubs. Not all have the right facilities or are in the right places to attract crowds and many aren’t seeing the same uptick. Two pubs a day are closing because of costs, especially tax rises. For many pubs, the World Cup hasn’t been so much a bonus as a lifeline. What happens when it’s over and the fans are counting the costs.

BOTTOM LINE

England’s World Cup run is giving Britain’s pubs a much‑needed shot in the arm:

• packed bars

• booming beer sales

• roaring crowds

• local pride

• tills ringing

But the crisis isn’t over. Costs are crushing landlords. Tax rises are biting hard, and for some pubs, even a semi‑final won’t save them. Wednesday night could be the biggest pub night of the year or the last hurrah for landlords who’ve fought too long and too hard.

Football might be coming home, but the UK’s pubs need help fast and into the future if they’re going to stay open long enough to celebrate.