On the house! Buyers name local pub as top amenity

A local pub has been named as the most important lifestyle amenity when buying a home.

Jackson-Stops’ latest Property Pulse Survey of more than 3,000 customers aimed to identify the most important amenities to homebuyers.

Three quarters said it was having a pub nearby, while 70% required access to a local GP.

This comes amid increasing numbers of pubs closing and GP surgeries struggling to cope with demand.

Post offices (51%) topped the charts as the most important local shop followed by corner shop (45%), farm shop (33%), butcher (23%), baker (21%) and greengrocer (18%).

Nick Leeming, chairman of Jackson-Stops, said: “With this research we aimed to understand the features and amenities that are most important to buyers right now. Our intriguing results not only help us connect with buyers, but also remind us that a house is much more than just bricks and mortar. 

“Location can make or break a sale. It is heartwarming to see the nation’s support for local businesses, a yearning for the high streets of old. Villages that still embody these characteristics undoubtedly command a sizeable house price premium as a result.

“In particular, in the face of depleting local pubs, the popularity of villages and homes near well-regarded watering holes will continue to grab homebuyers’ attention. Just like our homes, our local pubs can represent more than just a place to eat or drink, acting as a local focal point to make new acquaintances and connect to the community. They say a dog makes a house a home, then perhaps for British homeowners a pub makes the perfect community.”