The stats are there to back it up. Attitudes and habits to alcohol are changing; whether they are sober-curious or simply cutting back, consumers are moving away from a booze-based social culture. As ever the pub industry is meeting these changes with innovation and increased choice for their customers.

Responsibility is not the first word that springs to mind when you think of Christmas in a pub, but when you are running a pub, it needs to be right up there with getting your beer order right. As a pub landlord, many responsibilities land firmly at your feet, however, at times of plenty like Christmas it can be all too easy to focus on the day-to-day, bookings, stock and money going in the tills and forget the bigger picture.

As pubs look to diversify their offers, with many opening for longer hours, there are a plethora of opportunities for publicans to draw in their local community. From offering something as simple as special lunch menus to free internet access and post office facilities, particularly in rural areas the pub can position itself as a place where all are welcome and valued. Even more, it can be the few words you or your staff share with a customer who comes in alone that may change their day; you might be the only person they talk to that day.

As one of the busiest periods in the pub year, Christmas and New Year can be key to hitting sales targets but it is also important to preserve both your own and your staff’s sanity! FindMyPub.com’s Ana, Faye and Rachel put their heads together to share some of their collective wisdom. (Disclaimer any similarities to real people or situations are purely coincidental!)

As with the rest of the UK, Scotland has seen some big changes in the pub and brewing industry in recent years. The impact of minimum unit prices, the changes in the renewal of licenses as well as consumer habits becoming increasingly health conscious cannot be ignored. However, the industry remains robust contributing £1.6 billion to the Scottish economy and generating £972 million in tax revenues, with an annual investment of £69 million. (source: Scottish Beer and Pub Association)

These days, people are always connected. Whether it’s checking emails on the morning commute or ordering goods, we spend a large proportion of our days online. This, in turn, means that it's increasingly critical for pub’s to be aware of the importance of data protection and use sound practices to keep their customers and staff’s sensitive, personal information safe and secure.

Wondering why you should be on the FindMyPub.com mailing lists? This could be the perfect way for you to keep in touch with us here at FMP HQ.

Rachel Wainwright, MyPubGroup.ltd's Marketing Manager talks us through how harnessing data can be crucial in developing your offer and growing trade.

The use of data in business is a growing, and indeed a flourishing field of work, gone are the days of following gut feelings or doing what we have always done. We work in a time of enormous growth for business technology, a time where CRM’s, digital point of sale, data capture and analysis are at the heart of business planning and strategy.

Guest Article by John Gaunt and Partners Solicitors. The festive period brings a number of campaigns to reduce the risks by those who drink and drive over the festive period.

It can seem that all the news about pubs is full of doom and gloom; there is no doubt that these are challenging times in which we work. However, the growth of the community-owned pub is a beacon of hope and refreshingly positive news for rural pubs in particular.

With our wealth of ancient inns and cobwebbed taverns, we’re truly spoilt for choice for haunted pubs in Britain.

Do you think you could run a privately-owned site? If so, taking a pub with an independent owner could be the perfect option for you.

Whether you’re a food house or a wet driven business, you just can’t afford to get it wrong. Hopefully, we have got at least one or two ideas that will help your festive season be a successful and profitable one.

As we celebrate Cask Ale week 2018 we take a look at the growing popularity of cask ales and craft beers, and the impact this growth area has had on the pub trade.

Whether you're self-employed and want to escape the home office, or need a quick pit stop to grab a coffee before heading back to the grind, solo working is on the increase. But forget café Wi-Fi, pub grub is just what the punters need to sort out their work blues, it seems.