Megapubs: The Rise of Colossal Drinking Establishments in the UK
As traditional pubs decline, megapubs are gaining popularity in the UK. These vast venues offer diverse facilities and economies of scale, but face criticism for lacking the community feel of traditional locals.
In the heart of London's Waterloo, a new breed of drinking establishment is emerging. The Lion & the Unicorn, a JD Wetherspoon pub, exemplifies the growing trend of "megapubs" – vast venues that are reshaping the UK's pub landscape.
At 5,000 square feet, The Lion & the Unicorn can accommodate nearly 600 patrons, dwarfing traditional local pubs. This trend is not isolated; other notable examples include BrewDog's Waterloo outpost, spanning 26,500 square feet, and Albert's Schloss, an 18,000 square foot Bavarian-style beer pub.
The rise of megapubs comes as traditional pubs face significant challenges. According to the British Beer and Pub Association, the number of pubs in the UK has fallen from 60,800 in 2000 to 45,350 in 2023. Last year alone, 769 pub businesses entered insolvency, marking a substantial increase from 518 in 2022.
Megapubs offer several advantages over their smaller counterparts. Their size allows for diverse facilities, catering to changing consumer needs. Simon Stenning, a hospitality industry consultant, explains:
"To make a pub really successful, to run it all day, you need to have the right outdoor space, the right indoor facilities – whether that's entertainment, whether it's competitive socialising, work spaces – it needs to be big."
BrewDog's Waterloo location exemplifies this approach, featuring co-working spaces, an indoor slide, a bowling alley, and an on-site microbrewery. In 2023, it served over 900,000 pints of beer and cider, nearly half a million meals, and 136,000 coffees – figures that dwarf the average pub's output.
However, critics argue that megapubs lack the community feel of traditional locals. Joe Cussens, former managing director of the Bath Pub Company, contends that "true locals are all about a sense of community. Megapubs are about volume."
Despite criticism, megapubs are adapting to changing consumer habits. For instance, BrewDog Waterloo sold more non-alcoholic beer than its flagship Punk IPA last year, catering to the trend of reduced alcohol consumption among younger generations.
The economics of megapubs also play a crucial role in their success. While operating costs are higher, their scale allows for better deals when purchasing stock. Purpose-built venues can also be more efficient than older, traditional pubs housed in historic buildings.
As the pub industry continues to evolve, the future may see a landscape dominated by these colossal drinking establishments. However, the potential impact of proposed policies, such as banning smoking in pub gardens, remains to be seen. For now, it appears that the age of the megapub is just beginning.
