Pub customers eat more and more

Food makes up almost a fifth of all sales in pubs, according to a report just published.

The research, by business analysts Key Note, showed food makes up 17% of sales.

While beer, wine and spirits still make up 80% of pubs' total income, food sales will rise and sales of alcohol will fall, the report added.

It said: "The figure of 17% dry sales takes into account pubs that sell bags of nuts and crisps and little else in the way of food. If even a small proportion of these pubs started selling meals as well as snacks, the overall percentage of pub sales would rise even further."

Key Note also forecast that 1,500 pubs will close by 2004, bringing the total number of pubs in the UK to around 49,000.

But turnover will increase by 5.5% between 1999 and 2004, to reach £14.5b.

The report is available to buy from Key Note on 020 8481 8750, priced £375.