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Hospitality consultant and publican Tim Skinner, who has recently overseen the rennovation of The Prince Albert in Guildford, discusses how publicans can navigate today’s challenging trading climate and why a values-led, community-focused approach remains key to success in 2025.

The pub trade has rarely faced greater challenges. Rising costs across taxation, employment, energy, and raw materials are squeezing margins tighter than ever. Add to this the long shadow of Covid a generation of workers who have never set foot in the office or the pub after work and the pull of supermarkets selling alcohol cheaper than water. It’s no wonder many once thriving pubs are now struggling.

But it’s not all bad news. In fact, 2025 presents real opportunities for those ready to approach the business with creativity, discipline, and optimism.

The Changing Landscape

Yes, the market is tough. But every challenge brings its own openings. Closures have left a number of pubs vacant, and breweries are rethinking how they work with operators. Traditional leases and rigid beer ties are giving way to more flexible models, including the growing “Manchise” approach.

An understanding of the way people connect now often starts online, creating an emotive storyboard in your social media presence which truly shows how you aim to make people feel will create and engagement and open the property to more potential custom.

Leaning towards the lifestyle choices of your potential guests is a key consideration more now than ever. Being dog friendly for example opens an entire world of possibilities, dietary trends of vegan & healthy options and low and no are spaces which are growing rapidly.

What Success Will Require

A winning launch in 2025 depends on three things:

• A deep understanding of the local market. No two pubs are the same, even on the same street. Each has its own character, its own community, and its own potential. Take the time to discover what your neighbourhood needs — then build your offer around it.
• Strong guiding values. Hospitality thrives on honesty, authenticity, and integrity. These values should drive everything: how you welcome guests, how you treat staff, and how you make business decisions. Customers today can spot inauthenticity a mile off — and they reward those who feel genuine.
• Financial discipline with creative flexibility. A clear eye on budgets and margins is non-negotiable. But within that structure, be ready to adapt whether that means reshaping the drinks offer, leaning into food, building events, or embracing low- and no-alcohol trends. The pubs that pivot quickly will be the ones that survive and thrive.

Looking Forward with Optimism

Hospitality has always been about resilience, creativity, and the ability to see potential where others see problems.

For those with strong values, a clear grasp of their market, and the flexibility to adapt, 2025 is not just a year of challenge, it is a year of opportunity. Pubs are still at the heart of communities, and those who create spaces where people feel genuinely welcome will always have a place in British life.

With clarity, values, and optimism, a successful pub launch in 2025 is not only possible it could be the start of something genuinely exciting.