More than 4 million people go to the pub on dates, but increased costs of living are forcing many to stay away.
A tax on love, friendship and community
The disproportionate taxes paid by pubs makes it harder to keep their doors open.
With over half of the population choosing the local for dates, the unfair tax burden on pubs is a tax on love, a tax on friendship and a tax on community.
Without urgent support from Government this year is set to be a heartbreaker for Britain’s pubs. With increased costs of living, nearly 4 million people who go to the pub on dates will not be celebrating Valentine’s Day as usual at their local this year because they can no longer afford it (15%).
The pub remains a beloved spot for Brits to forge and sustain romantic bonds, with over half (55%) of the UK population still choosing pubs for their date nights.
But many are feeling the pinch of inflation, as the cost of living crisis forces some tough choices when it comes to their love lives.
Pub-loving daters are being especially hard hit. Nearly one in three (31%) of those who go on dates in pubs say that the cost of living crisis has affected their love life, making them spend more time at home. New couples are being forced into an awkward spot when the bill arrives, with 31% of those together for less than a year reporting that they are more likely to ask to split the tab when paying for dates.
Not only is the cost of living directly impacting pub-goers and their love lives, with more than 500 pubs forced to pull their last pint in 2023, rising costs and a decline in custom is having a detrimental impact on the industry.
That’s why the nation’s pubs are demanding a much-needed lifeline to help them keep their doors open, including cutting tax on beer, reforming business rates and lowering VAT on food and drink.
Three in five people (60%) agree, calling the government to show our pubs some love and provide more financial support to help keep local pubs open.
1 in 5
Of us fall in love in the pub. Making the pub integral to the very relationships the country is built on.
4 million
who go to the pub on dates won’t be heading to the local due to rising costs.
55%
of the population still choose the pub for dates.
31%
of those who go on dates in pubs say that the cost of living crisis has affected their love life, making them spend more time at home.