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One in four drinkers intend to visit bars less on reopening

Almost a quarter of UK consumers plan to visit pubs and bars less frequently when they reopen after lockdown, according to a new study.

A Portman Group survey found that 15% of UK drinkers plan to reduce their alcohol intake

Alcohol industry watchdog the Portman Group published a new study into the attitudes of drinkers ahead of the reopening of outdoor hospitality on 12 April.

The survey found that while 50% of Brits plan to visit pubs and bars with the same frequency as they did before the Covid-19 pandemic, 22% said they would visit the on-trade less.

The Portman Group also found that 71% of drinkers intend to drink the same amount once restrictions lift, while 15% intend to reduce their alcohol intake.

Among drinkers that intend to visit pubs and bars when they reopen, 68% said they plan to visit the on-trade to reunite with friends and family, rather than purchasing food and drink they cannot get at home.

The second most cited reason for returning to the pub was to regain a sense of normality, with 57% of those polled suggesting this as the reason for their return to pubs and bars.

Matt Lambert, CEO of the Portman Group, said: “The reopening of hospitality is an important step towards normality. The alcohol industry is proud to play an important role in this, and we look forward to seeing loved ones reconnect over a drink while supporting their local.

“As people look forward to getting together with friends and family, we are confident they will continue to drink responsibly. Our research shows the moderate majority have done so throughout the pandemic.”

The survey also found that while 69% of UK adults believed that the UK population has increased its alcohol consumption over the last year, 78% of consumers said they either do not drink or drink within the chief medical officers’ lower-risk drinking guidelines.

Around three quarters of those polled said they are drinking the same or less compared to before the pandemic, and 32% claimed to have reduced their drinking over the course of the pandemic.

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