Job market information
Finding out about pubs, bars and nightclubs
The pubs, bars and nightclubs industry is represented by People 1st, the Sector Skills Council for hospitality, passenger transport, travel and tourism. The hospitality, travel and tourism sector incorporates the following industries: contract food service providers, events, gambling, holiday parks, hospitality services, hostels, hotels, membership clubs, pubs, bars and nightclubs, restaurants, self-catering accommodation, tourist services, and visitor attractions. The sector accounts for a workforce of 2.1 million, most of which are based within the restaurants, hospitality services, and pubs, bars and nightclubs industries. The roles within the sector are extremely diverse and include managers, technical staff, front-of-house staff, back-of-house staff, and non-core staff.
Pubs and bars provide alcoholic and non‐alcoholic beverages. They may also provide snacks or food. Who, or what, own the pubs and bars are important:
- Managed houses – include those that are owned by a brewery and employ salaried staff who manage and work in the outlet, and those owned by pub companies
- Tenanted or leased pubs – these are owned by the brewery, but are occupied by licensees who pay rent to the brewery and agree to take their supply of beer
- Free houses – these are owned and managed by the licensee and deal with a number of different suppliers and brewers
- Nightclubs primarily offer a place to listen to music and dance for an admission fee. Drink and food are offered as additional services.
Key facts:
- There are 332,700 people working in the pubs, bars and nightclubs industry.
- 16% of the workforce has an NVQ Level 4 or above qualification.
- The majority of the workforce has a NVQ Level 2 qualification (26%).
- 13% of the workforce has no qualifications.
- 43% of the workforce is employed full‐time.
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2009.]
Jobs in the industry range from: bar manager, general manager, bar person, chef, cloakroom attendant, food and beverage manager.
Entry and progression
For most entry level jobs, there are no specific academic requirements, but a willingness to work hard, a good attitude, good communication and team working skills can be an advantage. For public facing roles, employers may prefer candidates who have previous experience of working in a customer service environment and show good people skills, as well as an appreciation of the importance of customer service. There are a number of areas from which people could transfer in, particularly retail and call centres.
There are opportunities for progression in the industry for those willing to take on more responsibility. Previous managerial experience can be an advantage. It is fairly common for people to move between certain areas of work in the industry.
There is a range of industry endorsed courses, apprenticeships, vocational qualifications, and training schemes available. Some qualifications are only available to those over 18 years old, such as: Advanced Certificate in Licensed Hospitality; Award for Personal Licence Holders (QCF); Diploma for Designated Premises Supervisors; and National Certificate for Licensees (Drug Awareness).
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
332,700 |
| Number of UK employers: |
59,100 |
| Gender: |
44% male |
56% female |
| Ethnicity: |
95% of the workforce is white and 5% is from black and ethnic minority groups |
| Age: |
20% of the workforce is aged 16‐19 years |
|---|
| 38% is 20‐29 years |
| 12% is 30‐39 years |
| 15% is 40‐49 years |
| 14% is 50 years and older |
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2009.]
Employment trends and future prospects
[N.B. Data presented are for the whole hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector.]
The following table shows the numbers working across the whole hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector and forecasted numbers for 2017. There will also be high demand for new workers to replace those people who have either changed jobs or left the industry altogether.
| 2007 |
2012 |
2017 |
2007‐2017 |
|---|
Managers and senior officials
Including:
Hotel and accommodation managers
Restaurant and catering managers
Publicans and managers of licensed premises |
590,900 |
617,900 |
659,500 |
+12% |
Skilled trade occupations
Including:
Chefs/cooks |
213,700 |
209,300 |
193,800 |
‐9% |
Elementary occupations
Including:
Kitchen and catering assistants
Waiting staff
Bar staff |
768,900 |
821,800 |
853,600 |
+11% |
[N.B. Data from Warwick Institute for Employment Research, Working Futures, 2007‐2017.]
Skill requirements and shortages
[N.B. Data presented are for the whole hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector.]
The five most common skill requirements are: technical, practical or job‐specific skills; customer handling skills; team working skills; oral communication skills; and problem solving skills.
Occupational trends
In the current economic climate, many pubs are offering more to their customers in an attempt to attract more customers. For example, more pubs are serving food, so there is an increasing demand for kitchen staff in this industry.
[N.B. Data presented are for the whole hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector.]
There are a number of ‘core’ occupations commonly found in hospitality, leisure, and the travel and tourism sector. The following table lists the numbers working in these occupations across the whole sector.
| Hotel and accommodation managers |
57,700 |
|---|
| Conference and exhibition managers |
23,700 |
|---|
| Restaurant and catering managers |
148,200 |
|---|
| Publicans and managers of licensed premises |
46,900 |
|---|
| Chefs and cooks |
255,100 |
|---|
| Kitchen and catering assistants |
394,600 |
|---|
| Waiting staff |
222,200 |
|---|
| Bar staff |
197,800 |
|---|
| Leisure and theme park attendants |
21,100 |
|---|
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2009.]
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are approximately 29,600 people working in the pubs, bars and nightclubs industry in this region, of which:
- 40% work full‐time
- 55% of the workforce is female
- 94% of the workforce is white
- 28% of the workforce is 20‐24 years
- The majority of the workforce has a NVQ Level 1 and entry level qualification (34%)
East of England – There are approximately 26,500 people working in the pubs, bars and nightclubs industry in this region, of which:
- 51% work full‐time
- Workforce is evenly split between men and women
- 93% of the workforce is white
- 28% of the workforce is 20‐24 years
- 28% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification
London – There are approximately 20,000 people working in the pubs, bars and nightclubs industry in this region, of which:
- 46% work full‐time
- 41% of the workforce is female
- 81% of the workforce is white
- 39% of the workforce is 20‐24 years
- 31% of the workforce has an NVQ level 3 qualification
North East – There are approximately 18,700 people working in the pubs, bars and nightclubs industry in this region, of which:
- 40% work full‐time
- 62% of the workforce is female
- 95% of the workforce is white
- 20% of the workforce is 20‐24 years
- 26% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification
North West – There are approximately 42,700 people working in the pubs, bars and nightclubs industry in this region, of which:
- 40% work full‐time
- 59% of the workforce is female
- 26% of the workforce is 20‐24 years
- 25% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification
South East – There are approximately 42,200 people working in the pubs, bars and nightclubs industry in this region, of which:
- 54% work full‐time
- 53% of the workforce is female
- 94% of the workforce is white
- The majority of the workforce is aged between 16‐24 years (50%)
- 28% of the workforce has an NVQ level 3 qualification
South West – There are approximately 25,900 people working in the pubs, bars and nightclubs industry in this region, of which:
- 60% work full‐time
- 64% of the workforce is female
- 95% of the workforce is white
- 29% of the workforce is 20‐24 years
- 28% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification
West Midlands – There are approximately 30,000 people working in the pubs, bars and nightclubs industry in this region, of which:
- 37% work full‐time
- 61% of the workforce is female
- 96% of the workforce is white
- 29% of the workforce is 16‐19 years
- 30% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are approximately 37,700 people working in the pubs, bars and nightclubs industry in this region, of which:
- 39% work full‐time
- 60% of the workforce is female
- 97% of the workforce is white
- The majority of the workforce is aged between 16‐24 years (46%)
- 31% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification
Northern Ireland – There are approximately 43,900 people working in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector as whole in Northern Ireland, of which 5,600 work in the pubs, bars and nightclubs industry in 1,200 establishments. Details as follows:
- 56% work full‐time
- 52% of the workforce is male
- 97% of the workforce is white
- The majority of the workforce is aged between 20‐29 years (52%)
- 47% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification
Scotland – There are approximately 183,500 people working in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector as whole in Scotland, of which 28,000 work in the pubs, bars and nightclubs industry in 4,200 establishments. Details as follows:
- 55% work full‐time
- 64% of the workforce is female
- 97% of the workforce is white
- 39% of the workforce is aged between 20‐29 years
- 31% of the workforce has an NVQ level 4 qualification
Wales – There are approximately 86,100 people working in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector as whole in Wales, of which 20,700 work in the pubs, bars and nightclubs industry in 3,800 establishments. Details as follows:
- 36% work full‐time
- The workforce is split fairly evenly between male and female
- 98% of the workforce is white
- 42% of the workforce is aged between 20‐29 years
- 32% of the workforce has an NVQ level 3 qualification
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2009.]
Salary levels
Pay scales in this industry are variable, so the following only provides an indication of the average annual pay of the current workforce:
- Bar Person £11,000 ‐ £20,000, Assistant Bar Manager £16,000 ‐ £21,000, Bar Manager £20,000 ‐ £35,000
- Assistant General Manager/Deputy Manager £21,000 ‐ £35,000
- Cashier/Front Supervisor £15,000 ‐ £17,000
- Cloakroom Attendant/Admissions Gate Attendant £12,000 ‐ £16,000
- Pub and Restaurant Manager £18,000 ‐ £35,000
- Host £14,000 ‐ £25,000
- Patron/Landlord £30,000 ‐ £200,000
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using People 1st AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
