Research finds new generation of young landlords attracted to pubs

22 May 2015 by James Stagg

Pubs are attracting a new generation of landlords, according to research.

Barclays analysis of its customers in the industry has found the number of pub owners aged 25 to 34 has risen by a quarter since 2012, now accounting for 15% of pub and bar owners.

It also found that average pub turnover had increased by 23% in the last three years.

Barclays said that 42% of the businesses it deals with were established in the last three years, boosted in part by the number of young landlords entering the industry.

The research also found over half (56%) of public houses are run by at least one female landlady and over a quarter (27%) have a sole female owner. Women also form a significant proportion of the young pub owners, with 32% of landlords under the age of 35 being female.

Adam Rowse, head of business banking at Barclays, said: "It's been long-reported that this is an industry met by challenges for pub owners, however our research shows that this has not deterred the next generation of ‘pub innovators' from setting up shop.

"There are also a large number of establishments that have managed to sustain and grow their business in the last decade, including those that have renewed their business plans in response to changing customer appetites - the rise in those catering with pub food for example has enabled diversification."

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