Special Episode: Save Our Pubs (Why Hospitality Businesses Are Struggling And What You Can Do To Help)

How do we SAVE the HOSPITALITY industry?

In this episode of The Working Week with entrepreneur Ben Askins - as we lose TWENTY bars and restaurants EVERY WEEK, and ONE nightclub every TWO days - Ben gets stuck into why the hospitality industry is struggling so much in 2025, and what we can do to save it…

Ben is joined by Night Time Economy Adviser, Sacha Lord - co-creator of Parklife Festival and the Warehouse Project - who has been instrumental in fighting for the survival of the hospitality economy and businesses. 

Whether you’re a bar or restaurant owner struggling to keep your doors open, or you’re a regular pub-goer devastated to see your local shut up shop, this one’s for you. You’ll also get Ben’s best advice for businesses and companies, and a few laughs along the way!
                                                                                                                                   
If that sounds like you, hit SUBSCRIBE and we’ll see you in the next episode. Don’t forget, you can follow us wherever you get your podcasts for FREE and you’ll have access to weekly episodes 10 hours before they go live on YouTube.

We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch with Ben to share your work stories - anonymously or otherwise - and he’ll answer your biggest questions. 

Follow Ben: 
📸 Instagram:   / benaskins.official   
🎥 TikTok:   / ben.askins  

Follow the pod:
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworkingweekpod/
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theworkingweekpod

Follow Sacha:
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacha_lord/
🎥TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sacha_lord

Chapters:

0:00 Intro
01:30 How many pubs, bars, restaurants and nightclubs are closing?
02:42 The real stories, people and businesses behind the headlines
04:18 The history of the British pub
05:00 How hospitality closures increase loneliness
05:43 How Jeremy Clarkson is fighting to save village pubs
07:10 The impact of Brexit
08:46 How the pandemic and lockdowns impacted nightclubs
09:52 Inflation and the cost of living crisis
10:46 How much does a pint cost?
12:39 The pros and cons of Gen Z’s drinking habits 
14:20 Ben interviews Night Time Economy Adviser, Sacha Lord
29:33 Ben’s final say

We have been in touch with the Government department that looks after the hospitality industry, but have not heard back.

Sign up for Ben’s management course here: https://www.benchmarkmanagement.co/

Credits: 
https://www.tiktok.com/@the_pub_man/video/7416629457181478176?lang=en
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0DV87JZW1/ref=atv_dp_season_select_s4