An exploration of the substitutions of British pub consumers during the COVID-19 crisis

This research draws on substitution theory to understand how British pub consumers describe their substitutions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. A two-stage research method design is adopted, with an exploratory netnography stage followed by 13 semi-structured interviews to gain a deeper insight. Five themes emerge that are either direct substitutions for the physical closing of the pub venues (online social drinking and pub-dating alternatives), or they were indirect effects of the substituting venues (in-the-home drinking, different drinks in the home and no work-related substitutions). The findings show that drinking in pubs is a functional as well as a symbolic act. Key stakeholders are recommended to remain in contact with customers through blended online and offline activities to help keep the pubs relevant to them. This will benefit the pub sector long after the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. •British pub closed during the first national lockdown in the U.K. during COVID-19.•This research seeks to understand how pub consumers described their substitutions.•Five themes emerge and extend current research to include a pandemic crisis.•Different initiatives discuss how pubs can survive any future lockdowns and beyond.