Living Near Pubs Makes People Happier, Less Drinkers & More Satisfied With Life: Study
A study published by Oxford University professor Robin Dunbar confirms what British drinkers already know—living near pubs does make people drink less, happier and more satisfied with life.
Entitled "Friends on Tap," the report was created for the Campaign for Real Ale or CAMRA.
The 60-page report says almost 25 percent of people living in the UK said they have a "local" that they frequently visit. Authors describe the pub as a rich environment which allows patrons to meet people from different backgrounds and walks of life.
Next to socializing at home, the report says that going to a pub is the next most popular way for people to make friends. Approximately 33 percent of respondents feel that pubs are safe places to meet people.
It appears that the size of the pub also matters to patrons. People are more likely to have more intimate discussions in a small community pub than larger pubs located in urban settings.
Small community club patrons are also found to drink less than their counterparts in large city centers.
CAMRA chief executive Tim Page was not surprised with what the results revealed in the report.
"Pubs offer a social environment to enjoy a drink with friends in a responsible, supervised community setting. Nothing is more significant for individuals, the social groupings to which they belong and the country as a whole as our personal and collective wellbeing," Page was quoted on Telegraph.
Page goes on to say, "The role of community pubs in ensuring that wellbeing cannot be overstated. For that reason, we all need to do what we can to ensure that everyone has a 'local' near to where they live or work."
The release of the report could not have come at a better time. Page stated that an increasing amount of locals or pubs have closed down during the last few decades of the 20th century.
Back in 1951, there were over 73,000 locals located within Wales and England. This number had dropped to 64,000 within 20 years, with thousands more continuing to close on a yearly basis.
Mirror says CAMRA is doing all it can to save the community pubs. Other than sponsoring the report, CAMRA is encouraging bar patrons to check out their website to share their stories and experiences.
In the report, Dunbar and his colleagues have made several suggestions on how pub owners and the local community can help save their locals. For one, Dunbar is encouraging pub owners to work together with the local community to help maintain that tight-knit atmosphere that 'locals' are known for.
The authors are also suggesting that the government think about reducing beer taxes to keep prices down.