Brits love the pub, especially on a bank holiday weekend. But it appears there’s one unsavoury trend hitting establishments across the country. Small business comparison site Bionic have warned pubs, clubs and bars to prepare for a possible spike in alcohol-related incidents as the bank holiday approaches.
These types of incidents range from rowdy behaviour to petty pub crimes like pub glass theft. It’s theft that pubs are trying to push back on, after four million Brits admitted to stealing tableware from hospitality venues each week. Some establishments have made tongue-in-cheek videos which have proved popular on social media site TikTok, asking punters: “Why steal the glass?”
In some videos, pubs use comedy to get their message across, with the Marquis Arms in Swansea saying: “You wouldn’t steal our chairs.”
The video featured what appeared to be a member of staff making their way out of the pub with a barstool in tow.
Pubs have asked patrons to return stolen glasses and not to steal any more, but the problem is proving persistent.
New figures showed Brits taking tableware from venues contributed to an estimated 2.1 million alcohol-related thefts annually, with glasses the most commonly stolen item.
Around 36% of people owned up to pinching at least one, which can prove costly for hospitality venues as they keep up with the rate of thefts.
While it may seem light-hearted, stealing glassware from a pub is still theft, and licensed premise can refuse service and may even bar individuals caught stealing from their property.
In some cases, police can be called and though a prison sentence is unlikely for a minor offence, sanctions can include a formal warning, fine or a criminal record, which can all have enduring effects.
Laura Court-Jones, a member of Bionic’s insurance team, said: “Whether you’re heading to your local for a quiet drink or dancing into the early hours, remember that what might feel like a cheeky souvenir comes at a real cost to your favourite venues. Respect the space, drink responsibly, and leave the glasses behind this bank holiday.”
