Pubs play a vital role in helping to combat loneliness

New research shows that pubs have become “the places where we are most likely to talk to new people and make new connections”. Heineken UK and its charity partner, Bristol-based Marmalade Trust, found that 30% of people said the pub was where they were most likely to have laughed or smiled during an exchange with a stranger, and 56% saying it led to an ongoing discussion. friendship’, a statistic that rose to 74% in Gen Z.

Bristol Live spoke to Adrian Youdell, owner of The Hope & Anchor on Jacob Wells Road, to see what he thought about pubs as a place for single people to feel more connected to society.

He said: “You can tell some people are lonely. We’ve got enough people here where you know we’re the only people they’ve talked to all day.

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“A lot of people come by themselves and sit at the bar and hear someone else’s conversation and just get involved.”

But while people may come in alone and struggle with loneliness, Adrian said he is keen for his staff to strike up a conversation with all customers, especially those who look a little lonely. He said: “I always tell my staff that the person you serve today, you may be the only person they’ve spoken to in their time, even if they’ve worked from home, they may not have had any interaction with anyone else, so make an effort say you are ok And ask them how they are.”

There are great examples of The Hope & Anchor bringing people together, with Adrian saying that separate groups sitting at large tables in the beer garden often end up joining together, something people can’t do as easily in other types of establishments.

Sharing his thoughts on why pubs are important for socializing and the effect pub closures have, Adrian said: “You go to a coffee shop and you look at the people there and they’re plugged into headphones, plugged into to laptops without interacting. There’s something about a pub where people interact with each other a lot more, they can sit there and start interacting with the bar staff and other people.”

And not only Adrian can support the research. CAMRA National President Nik Antona said: “Pubs, clubs and bars are an integral part of people’s social life and well-being, a place where local people can feel part of a larger community, helping to combat loneliness and social isolation. In many areas, such as small villages or towns with very small streets, they provide the last remaining public meeting space.”

“Pubs are more than just a place to have a pint of beer, cider or perry. They are the central hub of their communities, where friends and family can gather and build new relationships, whether through events like quizzes and live music. , or just from seeing a friendly face behind the bar. The vital role these pubs play in their communities is why it is more important than ever that pubs are given the support to survive and thrive by the next government.

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