While time was called on 4,150 traditional drinking holes, 2,158 new coffee shops were launched.
In some towns there are now more cafes than pubs, including Otley, West Yorks, which was once described as the pub capital of Britain.
Its current tally is 22 pubs and 24 coffee shops.
In Christchurch, Dorset, planning permission for a new cafe was recently refused on the grounds that there are already 14 on a 500-yard stretch.
Ambleside in the Lake District has 11 coffee shops — one for every 250 residents — which is the most per head of anywhere outside London.
Others with a high concentration include St Ives in Cornwall, Skipton in North Yorks and Llandudno in North Wales.
Experts predict the number of coffee shops will overtake pubs in 2030.
There are now 21,540 cafes versus 48,350 pubs, down from 52,500 in 2013.
The switch in fortunes is partly due to young people not drinking so much booze.
Zephir Thomas, who owns Pelicano Coffee in Brighton, said: “These days if you’re caught drinking a beer by yourself at 2pm it’s not as acceptable as a flat white.”
Ronald Nyakairu, an analyst for Local Data Company which analysed the growth of coffee shops, said: “It’s even more remarkable given the tough retail climate, Brexit uncertainty and increasing occupancy costs.”
GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]
Source: Read Full Article