Same Again?

Sober Scots’ drinking habits since lockdown

Scots are the most likely in the UK to be drinking same or less since before lockdown was imposed

Lockdown was predicted to cause a sharp rise in alcohol consumption and binge-drinking but most UK drinkers (65%) actually drank the same, less or stopped drinking altogether during lockdown compared to previously.

In the weeks following the reopening of the hospitality sector, this trend has continued. Brits are continuing to drink in moderation, but more and more are choosing to do so at the pub.

Scotland is no exception to this trend and, though Scottish pubs only recently reopened their doors, close to a third (30%) of Scots have returned to the pub at least once.

Scots continue to drink in moderation despite the reopening of pubs

The latest YouGov survey commissioned by the Portman Group (2,296 UK adults, 12-13 August) shows that the moderate majority continues to prevail in the UK, even with the much-celebrated reopening of pubs. 

In fact, of those who drink alcohol, even more people are drinking the same, less, or have cut out alcohol altogether, than during lockdown. These figures have now increased from 65% in May 2020 to 88% in August. This shows an ongoing trend of people drinking less during this unprecedented time and supports data by Nielsen which showed that in the 17-week period covering lockdown to 11 July 2020 Brits consumed almost 1.3bn litres of alcohol during the UK’s lockdown period, almost half the 2bn litres consumed in the same period last year.

The survey data for Scotland shows that:

• 92% of Scottish drinkers are drinking the same (59%), less (27.5%) or have cut alcohol out altogether (6%) since the hospitality sector reopened compared to before lockdown.
• Scots are the most likely in the UK to be drinking the same, less or have stopped compared to drinkers in England (85%), Wales (88%) and Northern Ireland (89%).
• Concerningly 5% of Scottish drinkers said they were drinking more since the hospitality sector reopened than before lockdown. We encourage anyone concerned about their own, or another persons’, drinking to visit Drinkaware or the NHS online for free advice and guidance.
• The moderate majority of Scottish drinkers (69%) continue to drink responsibly, within the Chief Medical Officer guidelines of 14 units per week. Weekly intakes remain similar to before lockdown.
• Scottish drinkers are also slightly more moderate than their English (66%) and Welsh (68%) counterparts in terms of remaining within the guidelines.

More than a quarter of Scottish pubgoers return to their local

While many of us continue to drink at home, a great number of Scots have resumed much loved habits of gathering at their local pub. Pubs have put in place diligent social distancing measures to ensure that communities can revisit pubs while feeling safe and secure. Scots are responding well to the ‘new normal’ with almost three quarters (76%) saying social distancing has not deterred them from a return to the pub.

It’s not just drinkers who have been making the most of the pubs reopening; pubs have long been a happy and inclusive environment for all members of the community.

The recent period has seen Scots making a cautious return to many much-loved venues outside of just hospitality, including shops and beauty salons, and it seems that, despite one in eight (12%) feeling the pinch after months of furlough or even job losses, we are still setting aside time and money to return to our favourite institutions, something that has been made clear with the popularity of August’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

Pubs in Scotland opened their doors once again on 15 July. Despite this, close to a third (30%) of Scottish adults have made their way back to the pub, slightly higher than Northern Ireland (26%) but lower than Wales (37%) and England (42%).

Speaking about the results of the survey, John Timothy, CEO of the Portman Group, the social responsibility and regulatory body for alcohol in the UK, commented: “During the course of the COVID-19 crisis there has been a fear that many people would turn to alcohol and that misuse would increase.

“Yet Scots are showing continued moderation both at home and, happily, now back at the pub. It’s great to see people supporting their community pubs while drinking sensibly and maintaining social distancing.”

Commenting on the results in Scotland, Douglas Meikle, Head of Alcohol Policy at the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership, said: “It’s encouraging that so many Scots continue to drink within the CMOs’ guidelines of 14 units a week, in spite of the unprecedented nature of lockdown, with many deciding to drink less.

“As things get back to being more normal it will be important to continue that trend and encourage those who want to go back to our pubs and bars that they can do so safely”.