Pub sales fall as people switch to drinking at home

Pub sales are continuing to fall as more people switch to buying cheaper alcohol in supermarkets and off-licences and drinking at home.

The swing by consumers toward home consumption has resulted in off-licence sales accounting for almost 60% of the market.

This growing trend saw pub sales drop by 7.2% during 2011. The overall volume of drink sold in pubs and other licensed premises also fell by 5.5%.