Change and continuity in UK public house retailing

Abstract

This paper outlines and reviews four major changes that have occurred in the UK public house retailing (PHR) sector since 1989, that is the 1989 ‘Beer Orders’, the changing socio-economic context, public house estate investment, and financialisation. While these changes have been taking place, it is argued that a degree of continuity (discussed in terms of people, the regional brewer/retailers, and control and business development) is to be found underpinning this period of turbulence in the sector, which is typically not foregrounded to the same extent. The paper illustrates the change and continuity argument with primary data gathered by the author through a longitudinal study of the industry, and concludes with a discussion linking UK PHR change and continuity.