Drinks are on the house! Over a third of Brits would not buy a home if it was not walking distance from a pub - with more than a mile being a ‘deal-breaker’

• A quarter of homeowners said the local pub influenced their decision to buy their current home 

• A third of homeowners visited their local pub when they viewed their property

• 18 per cent of all homeowners have made an offer on a home from a pub - with half admitting they’d had a few drinks when they did 

• Over half of Gen Z homeowners admit the local pub played a role in the home they purchased

• Zoopla, in partnership with Useyourlocal, includes information on pubs in its Area Guides, to help Brits find the perfect home and the perfect new ‘local’ 

Under embargo until 00.01, 3rd December 2024, London: The latest research, from Zoopla, one of the UK’s leading property websites, reveals that over a third of Brits (36 per cent) would not put in an offer for a home if it was too far away from a pub, with 0.7 miles (around a 13-minute walk), the ideal distance. On average, over one mile would be a dealbreaker.

The research shines a light on the important role pubs play in the lives of the British public and their home-buying decisions. The importance of a good pub is clear with more than four in ten (42 per cent) believing the quality of the local pub is important when buying a home, a figure which rises to half (48 per cent) for men. 

How do pubs influence property viewings?

For many, a trip to the pub is a standard part of the home-viewing process. Over a third (36 per cent) of homeowners said they have previously visited a pub before or after a home viewing. 

And amongst this group, three-quarters (76 per cent) said it is because they believe pubs are ‘a reflection of the community’ while 49 per cent believe it’s important to find places to socialise locally. 

Almost half of homeowners made an offer at their future local pub

Not only is it a part of the process, the pub is where key decisions are made and offers are formalised. Amongst those who have previously visited a pub post-viewing, over half (53 per cent) said they decided to go ahead with the home purchase while there. Forty four per cent went further and actually put in an official offer while at their soon-to-be local. This equates to a fifth of all homeowners (18 per cent) having previously put in an offer for a home from the pub. 

Many are likely to have been slightly tipsy at the time; half (49 per cent) admit they’d had a few drinks when the offer went in, having consumed on average 2.1 beverages. Meanwhile more than one in ten (11 per cent) said they’d had four or more. 

It can also have a bearing on final home decisions, a quarter of all homeowners (24 per cent) said that the local pub actually ‘influenced’ their decision to buy their current home. Somewhat surprisingly, given fewer younger adults drink alcohol than ever before, Gen Z homeowners were more likely to admit that the local pub played a role in the home they purchased (53 per cent). 

Source: Zoopla 

Zoopla’s Area Guides, in partnership with Useyourlocal, are designed to help home-hunters find the perfect area when searching for their future home, and include information on local pubs, to address this priority for many buyers, as well as information on other criteria like local schools and transport links. 

Dan Copley, Consumer Expert at Zoopla, said: “The research shows what a surprisingly strong role the local pub plays in the home-buying process - whether that’s to get a feel for the local community, discuss if you want to put an offer in, or even as a decisive factor in going ahead with a purchase. 

“With estimates suggesting pubs are closing at a rate of 50 a month, the number of homes close to pubs is set to continue to decrease - potentially benefitting the desirability, and perhaps even value, of homes close to one. 

“We want to help would-be buyers make the most informed decision they can when it comes to buying a home. With our Area Guides, homehunters can get a feel for the local area and all of the amenities available on their new potential doorsteps.”

Emma McClarkin, CEO of British Beer and Pub Association, said: “Being near a good pub is as important as being close to any other local amenity and it is great to see this recognised in the Zoopla guides.

“A good local offers so much more than just a quality pint; they can boost house prices and are also a sign of real social value in their communities.

“It’s also a place to meet new neighbours and friends, catch up on all the local news, and tuck into some delicious pub grub when you can’t face the washing up.

“Pubs are vital to the lifeblood of our communities and the last thing any new mover wants to see is their local close their doors.

“We and our Long Live The Local campaign stand ready to help the Government deliver the full support that’s needed for our beloved locals to keep thriving and remaining at the heart of communities.”

Ends

Notes to Editors

Survey conducted by Mortar Research from 1st-5th November 2024. Research amongst 2,028 respondents 18+ people in the UK who are homeowners.