Pub giant Greene King has reported record demand from people wanting to become landlords, despite the industry facing widespread closures and financial pressures.
In the first six months of 2026, the company received 1,449 applications – a 26% increase compared with the same period in 2025. Each pub available to let during that time generated an average of 26 applications.
Boost from World Cup and heatwaves
The surge in interest comes amid a well-publicised battle for many pubs, with 2,000 closures since 2020. However, summer heatwaves and England’s run in the World Cup have provided a much-needed boost to the nation’s pubs.
Greene King, which operates around 2,500 pubs, restaurants and hotels, says nearly half of prospective publicans had not run a pub before. The majority of its pubs available to let in the first half of the year were in Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Oxfordshire, but demand was widespread across the country.
Applicant locations and preferences
Almost a quarter of applicants were looking for opportunities in London and the South East, while 22% sought pubs in the North West and Yorkshire. More than 10% expressed interest in Wales and the South West. One in five said they wanted to run pubs exclusively in towns and city centres, while 14% were only interested in rural or coastal locations.
Charlie Brodie, 29, took over the Royal George pub in Shildon, County Durham, after three years delivering cars nationwide. He completed a 12-week training programme with owner Proper Pubs. “I have been here for six months,” he said. “It’s good to get to know all the customers when they come in.”
Industry response and government support
Dan Robinson, managing director of Greene King Pub Partners, said: “It’s incredibly encouraging to see record numbers of people wanting to run their own pubs in partnership with Greene King - demonstrating continued appeal and trust in this model. Running a pub is an incredibly rewarding opportunity, especially for those looking to build their own business.
“We’re fully committed to giving our partners the support, investment and expertise they need to succeed, so they can thrive in their local communities. Alongside additional support from the new Government, there is no better time to run a pub with Greene King.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has promised to reduce business rates for pubs by 20% as a first step to support the sector. Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “It’s no surprise people want to run a pub, because who wouldn’t want to be at the heart of the community, pulling a delicious pint, and being part of a unique and brilliant British tradition.
“What’s important is that people can make a success of their pubs which is why we want the Prime Minister to build on his brilliant support for pubs by delivering permanently lower business rates bills, cutting beer duty and VAT, and reducing the regulatory burden our locals face.”
Priyesh Bathia, a finalist on the most recent series of The Apprentice, opened The Elephant & Barrel in Stockwell, south London, in June. He previously worked in sales and marketing at PwC and ran a mobile cocktail bar business. “I went university, did a degree in maths and economics, and then the real thing of getting a corporate job, and that was it,” he said. “But I always had a passion to be in the hospitality industry.”
Bathia says the pub, which features a lifesize robotic elephant that squirts water, has been very busy since opening. “The hardest part is all the different moving parts that you need to manage, whether it be the kitchen to the beer, to the front of house,” he added.
