Thu, 16 Oct 2025

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 Cafes and food delivery apps are our new rivals, Greene King CEO says

Young adults are drinking less, so the likes of Nick Mackenzie are having to expand the appeal of pubs.

* More than 14,000 cafes and coffee shops have opened in the UK, competing with pubs for customers' leisure time
* Greene King boss Nick Mackenzie says pubs can't be beaten as a community hub, but need to adapt to changing trends
* Pubs are creating more comfortable environments, including food-led offerings and non-alcoholic beer options
* Industry is shifting towards "competitive socialising" experiences, such as games and activities
* Government needs to reform the business rates system, which can add millions in costs to companies on high streets
* Changes to business rates reform expected by end of year; government has already cut licensing costs and lowered business rates for pubs.
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