‘Pound Pubs’ aim to take over UK

The Pound Pub concept, where half-pints are £1 and a pint is just £1.50, has signalled its intention to expand across the UK.

Pound Pub sells a range of lagers and bitters, including Fosters and John Smith, as well as more recently Budweiser and Stella Artois 4 (Photo: Twitter)

Mike Wardell, the businessman behind the small chain of Pound Pub venues in the north of England, has said he has received requests from across the country to open others.

The Pound Pub taps in to a swell of punters who would have traditionally drank in now-sparse working mens’ clubs and who have been priced out of the growing trend for expensive gastro-pubs, said Wardell.

Last month, Pound Pub secured a contract with AB Inbev to serve Becks Vier and Stella Artois 4 at the rock-bottom prices, according to The Mirror.

“Early interest has been really positive,” he told the newspaper. “It’s a bit cheesy but the phrase we’re going for is ‘get more round for your pound’,” he said.

Taking on the falling number of pubs in the UK, which is seeing anywhere between 13 and 31 pubs close per week depending on the research, the Pound Pub chain is growing.

Wardell opened his first Pound Pub at Stockton-on-Tees last year, followed by two others in Manchester, and another in Liverpool in January.

The company’s commitment to cost management and a no-frills environment – such as not serving hot food only recently introducing subscription sport channels on TV – is the trick behind the cheap prices, Wardell says.

However, he has come under criticism for potentially fuelling alcohol-related crime and ill-health. “We’re responsible retailer,” he countered. “What we have found is that our regular customers feel it’s their pub. It’s still a traditional boozer.”

The growth of the gastro-pub is undoubtedly leaving some drinkers behind – drinkers that the Pound Pub hopes to attract.

In researched commissioned by London Wine Fair ahead of the event in May, the Carpe Vinum report warned that the traditional boozer “may disappear entirely from urban centres over the next 5-10 years.”