Deliveroo and cafes are a growing threat to pubs, the CEO of Greene King has warned.
Nick Mackenzie, the boss of the industry giant which has 2,700 sites across the UK, noted more and more people are turning away from alcohol, opting for coffee shops over bars.
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Mackenzie said: "They're taking away leisure time from the pub, yeah. You know, people are choosing to go into coffee shops. They are part of that competitor set, as are delivery [apps]."
But while a third of Brits under 25 do not drink, Mr Mackenzie highlighted how low or alcohol-free beers are now common place, insisting the local pub remains an unrivaled community space.
"It means that if you don't drink, you can come to the pub, you can meet friends, you can do the things that everybody does in the pub," he said.
"My experience - and certainly from my own family - I know young people are still out going to pubs and drinking, but we are also having to adapt to trends around well-being, trends towards low-and-no alcohol.
"Pubs are creating environments that now are much more comfortable rather than feeling like [being] sat in a dingy pub."
Mr Mackenzie also had a message for Rachel Reeves ahead of her autumn budget.
He said: "This industry pays more tax than others. Okay? And the business rate specifically is disproportionate. And governments have said they're going to change it ... now they need to do it."
A Government spokesperson said pubs, restaurants and cafes "are vital to local communities, adding: "That's why we're cutting the cost of licensing, lowering their business rates and helping more hospitality businesses offer pavement drinks and al fresco dining."
Read more on the BBC website.