Pub rounds are ‘useless’ as half of punters want to purchase their very own drinks
The YouGov findings signal that the spiralling cost of a pint is threatening a very British social tradition as just 38% say they prefer buying rounds
Pub rounds could be a thing of the past(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Polling has revealed the death of the pub round, with 48% of folk preferring to buy their own drinks.
The YouGov findings signal that the spiralling cost of a pint is threatening a very British social tradition as just 38% say they prefer buying rounds. Phone or card taps for single drinks are booming, but industry experts warn the social change could damage society.
Ash Corbett-Collins, the chairman of the Campaign For Real Ale group, said: “If rounds are going out of fashion it’s just another reminder of the out-of-control price of a pint. That’s not the fault of publicans, it’s because they’re overtaxed.”
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Jason Reynolds, landlord of the Shakespeare’s Head in Islington, London, said: “I’ve definitely seen the rounds system dwindle, even at the cheaper end of the market.”
British beer expert James Kellow says the Dutch use an app called Tikkie to solve many of the problems with rounds, suggesting it could catch on here. He said: “One person pays the bill and the others ‘Tikkie’ the money to each other according to what they had. There are lots of jokes about Tikkie-ing people for 80 cents, but it seems to work.”
The soaring cost of a pint has been driven by alcohol duty and 20% VAT, which makes up a third of its price. Pubs have also faced massive increases in energy bills, overall operational costs and labour costs, which also add to the price of a pint.
It comes after the pub chain Brewdog shut all branches today (March 2) while a sale hangs in the balance. Bosses confirmed to staff that it will hold a series of “all-hands” meetings, while closing bars and pubs due to licensing laws.
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