Blogs
In these difficult times those running pubs are doing their best to bring in custom and innovation is the key to business success, but where are the limits? One way of doing this is to bring in other services, giving people a reason to go to the pub beyond just having a pint. But is this what customers really want or should a pub be a pub – pure and simple? One pub in St Austell in Cornwall has decided to house a barber shop on the premises, believing that this is the best way to get the punters in. Licensee Malcolm Putko, said: "It’s a novel way of boosting day-time trade while combining two of men’s favourite pastimes — getting a haircut and enjoying a pint!" But will it last? After all it is not cheap to install a fully functioning barber shop into a pub and will customers continue to go to their local for a short-back-and-sides once the novelty has worn off? The great British pub has always been at the heart of communities in this country and if they continue to achieve this aim by bringing other activities in then they are fulfilling their purpose. It is when public houses ’ forget the essence of what they are trying to achieve and diversify so much that they are no longer a pub that they start to lose trade. Most people tend to have a specific idea of what their local pub should be like and any changes should be well thought out and shouldn’t alienate the customers that are already frequenting the establishment. Pubs have been community hubs for years as many have had pool and darts teams as well a football leagues and quizzes. This is now going a step beyond as reading groups, knitting circles and scrabble tournaments bring in a wider range of social groups. Diversifying can boost business during these challenging times and if it saves our community pubs then surely we can't complain – just as long as it is still a pub and not a beauty salon.
