More than two thirds of pub patrons view visiting their local is a top priority post-lockdown and almost all of those doing so feel safe, according to a survey of 25,000 people.

East Anglian Daily Times: More than two thirds of people who took part in a Greene King survey placed returning to their local as a top priority post-lockdown Picture: GREENE KINGMore than two thirds of people who took part in a Greene King survey placed returning to their local as a top priority post-lockdown Picture: GREENE KING (Image: Greene King)

Bury St Edmunds-based pubs and brewing giant Greene King carried out a customer poll as it sought to understand people’s views on returning to pubs and how they found the experience.

A total of 70% said visiting their local was a top priority – ahead of visiting family and friends (69%).

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The company surveyed 25,141 of its customers between July 6 and 9. Of these, just over 9,000 had been to a pub since July 4 with 6,080 of these visiting a Greene King pub since July 6.

East Anglian Daily Times: 99% of returning pub customers felt safe, a Greene King survey found Picture: GREENE KING99% of returning pub customers felt safe, a Greene King survey found Picture: GREENE KING (Image: Greene King)

Almost all respondents said they felt safe visiting the pub (99%) and would feel comfortable returning in the future (98%). The research also shows that almost all people (97%) agree that visiting pubs again makes them feel like life is getting back to normal.

Karen Bosher, managing director of Premium, Urban and Venture brands at Greene King, said: “Pubs are a quintessential part of British culture and we were delighted to start welcoming customers back earlier this month.

“It goes without saying that the health and safety of our teams and customers was our number one priority, but we also wanted to make sure that our pubs still felt like the friendly, sociable places they always have been.

“It’s fantastic to see that people are still keen to visit their local pubs and even better that they felt safe doing so and have enjoyed the experience.”