Pints price gaps spark regional debate

A Pint Report based on Numbeo data shows wide price gaps for a pint across UK towns, highlighting affordability differences.

Pints cheaper in Enniskillen than in London reveal regional price gaps

Pints can be bought for under £4 in Enniskillen, the NI town with the cheapest average price at £3.80, followed by Derry at £4.25. Other Northern Ireland towns show similar patterns, with Newry at £4.45 and Armagh and Craigavon around £5. The data also contrasts with higher prices elsewhere, noting Belfast and Lisburn as more expensive with averages around £6. The report, compiled for MG Timber and drawing on Numbeo figures from May 2025, adds that prices for a three-course meal for two also vary and reflect broader dining costs. The piece places local prices in a wider UK context, where Arun in West Sussex tops affordability at around £2 per pint and some towns reach upwards of £7. This spread illustrates how price levels are not uniform, even within a single country.

The Pint Report highlights a simple but telling contrast: rural and smaller towns can offer cheaper drinks than urban centers. That gap matters because pubs are social hubs and local employers, yet affordability pressures are rising for everyone. The data invites questions about wage growth, tourism, and how pubs compete when costs of living shift quickly. It also raises the issue of data reliability, since Numbeo relies on user-submitted prices and may not capture seasonal or real-time fluctuations. In the longer run, continued price divergence could influence where people choose to drink, stay local, or travel for a night out.

Highlights

The pint landscape is as much about local economy as it is about taste and tradition.