Is the pub quiz dead?

It was the whispering into their smartwatches that gave them away, but a team who had enjoyed a winning streak at a pub in Greater Manchester have been accused of cheating – and barred.

While the cautionary tale of The Barking Dog cheaters made the headlines, it does raise the question of whether landlords should be calling time on the age-old tradition of a pub quiz.

Technology is pervasive – everyone has a phone or a smartwatch, which means that the answer to most questions is quite easy to get hold of. Quizzes rely on people to be honest; and so without banning tech from their establishments, perhaps landlords need to rustle up some new ideas.

New ways to keep punters

The pub quiz isn’t likely to be completely replaced, despite this little cheating scandal, not least because it has seen a renaissance in the past few years. A 2023 survey commissioned by the brewer Greene King revealed that 70% of people regularly take part in a pub quiz and almost 10% go every single week.

Greene King even has a section of its website for pub punters wanting to find a nearby quiz to attend.

However, the hospitality industry has been hit hard by recent NICs hikes, high business rates and problems recruiting so new ways of attracting and keeping customers are always going to be a good idea.

Late nights, live music

The Government is pushing a new licensing framework that will see sweeping changes to rules about dining outside and managing noise complaints as well as closing times. This, it argues, will increase footfall and revive local nightlife at a time when hospitality businesses are tanking in confidence.

The Government recognised in its proposal that there are huge problems, stating that since the licensing act was introduced over 20 years ago, “we have seen one in four pubs shut their doors”.

As well as streamlining the license application process in general, Gareth Thomas MP, Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports also wrote that pavement licences need a rehaul. This would mean a longer licensing term of a minimum duration of at least two years.

Festivals and events also got a mention as something to be looked at “as part of future reform in licensing, subject to wider consultation”.

Relief not reforms

While the details of the framework are still being bashed out, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has pledged £440,000 in support for UK pubs via the non-profit organisation, Pub is the Hub.

This fund will help pubs diversify and has largely been met with approval. Nick Mackenzie, CEO of Greene King and Co-Chair of the Licensing Taskforce said: “Additional access to funding and less red tape is some welcome news to help pubs continue to adapt to meet the needs of their local communities.”

However, what hospitality businesses really want is business rate relief; and the Government to roll back the NICs hikes from the last budget; as well as offering relief on energy bills.

While we will have to watch a few more days to find out what the Chancellor can deliver, pubs that diversify their offering are going to be in a stronger position to survive, whatever the Budget brings – and despite quiz cheats.

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Planet of the Grapes founder Matt Harris has over 25 years of experience in hospitality. Read his bi-monthly column for Startups now.

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