Struggling to get punters through your pub door in Preston? You’re not alone—most pub landlords find it tough to compete with chain pubs and restaurants while trying to build that loyal local following that keeps the tills ringing and the atmosphere buzzing.
The good news is that Facebook marketing can help you reach local people who are looking for exactly what your pub offers—whether that’s a proper pint, good food, live music, or just a friendly place to meet mates. And you don’t need to be a social media expert or spend a fortune to make it work.
Why Facebook Works So Well for Preston Pubs
Here’s the thing—your customers are on Facebook every day. They’re checking what’s happening at the weekend, looking for somewhere to watch the match, or seeing what their friends are up to. Facebook lets you be right there when they’re thinking “Where shall we go for a drink tonight?”
Unlike hoping people will walk past your pub or remember you exist, Facebook lets you stay connected with your regulars and attract new customers from areas like Fulwood, Ribbleton, or Ashton-on-Ribble. You can share what’s happening at your pub, showcase your atmosphere, and remind people why they should choose you over the competition.
People choose pubs based on atmosphere, value, and feeling welcome. Facebook lets you show your personality, your community spirit, and what makes your pub special in a way that no other marketing can match.
What Actually Works for Pub Facebook Content
From working with hospitality businesses across Lancashire, we’ve learned that authentic, engaging content always wins. Here’s what gets results:
Show Your Pub in Action
Take photos and videos of your pub when it’s busy and buzzing. Show people enjoying themselves, the atmosphere during live music, or the crowd cheering during a big match. People want to see that your pub is lively and welcoming, not empty and depressing.
Share Your Events and Entertainment
Whether it’s quiz night, live music, karaoke, or just showing the football, make sure people know what’s happening. Post about upcoming events, share photos from last night’s quiz, or let people know which matches you’re showing. People plan their nights out around what’s happening.
Highlight Your Food and Drink
If you serve food, show it off. Take photos of your Sunday roasts, your fish and chips, or whatever you’re known for. If you have great beer, show your pumps, talk about guest ales, or share what’s new. People’s mouths should water when they see your posts.
Facebook Features That Work for Pubs
Facebook Events
Create events for everything—quiz nights, live music, match screenings, or special occasions. This helps people plan ahead and reminds them what’s coming up. Plus, when people say they’re attending, it shows up in their friends’ feeds, which brings in more customers.
Facebook Live
Go live during busy times, special events, or just to show the atmosphere. Maybe stream a bit of the live music, show the crowd during a big match, or just give people a taste of what they’re missing. It makes people want to come down and join in.
Facebook Groups
Consider creating a group for your regular customers. They can chat about upcoming events, organize meet-ups, or just stay connected between visits. It builds that community feeling that keeps people coming back.
Facebook Ad Ideas That Work for Pubs
Weekend Promotion
Create ads for Thursday and Friday targeting people in Preston who might be planning their weekend. Show your Saturday night atmosphere, promote your Sunday roasts, or remind people about your weekend entertainment. Target areas like Penwortham, Lostock Hall, or Bamber Bridge where people might be looking for a good local pub.
Match Day Specials
When there’s a big match on, create ads targeting football fans in Preston. Show your big screens, mention your match day atmosphere, and let people know you’re the place to watch the game. This works especially well for Preston North End matches or big Premier League games.
Midweek Offers
Monday to Wednesday can be quiet for pubs. Create ads promoting your midweek offers—maybe it’s two-for-one meals, quiz night, or just a quieter atmosphere for people who want to avoid weekend crowds. Target local workers who might fancy a mid-week drink.
Food Promotions
If you serve food, create ads showing your best dishes. Sunday roasts, weekday lunch deals, or evening meals can all attract different crowds. Target people in Preston who are looking for good pub food at reasonable prices.
Getting Your Targeting Right
Facebook ads let you be really specific about who sees your content. For a pub in Preston, you might target:
- Adults aged 21-65 who live within 10 miles of Preston
- People interested in pubs, restaurants, live music, or sports
- Locals who follow other Preston pubs or entertainment venues
- People who’ve visited your Facebook page but haven’t been in lately
- Members of Preston community groups or local Facebook pages
You can even target people based on their interests—sports fans for match days, music lovers for live entertainment, or foodies for your meal deals.
Keep Your Budget Realistic
You don’t need to spend hundreds to see results. Many successful pub Facebook ads in Preston start with £5-10 per day. That’s enough to reach local people who might be looking for somewhere to drink, eat, or watch the match.
Start small, see which ads bring people through the door, and then spend more on the ones that work. It’s better to spend £50 and get a busy Saturday night than to spend £200 and see no difference.
Building Your Community
Facebook isn’t just about attracting new customers—it’s about building a community of regulars who choose your pub over anywhere else. Respond to comments, share photos that customers tag you in, and engage with other local businesses and community pages.
When regulars post photos from your pub, share them. When someone leaves a good review, thank them. When local events are happening, get involved. The more you’re part of the Preston community, the more people will think of you as their local.
Share Your Personality
Your biggest advantage over chain pubs is your personality and local character. Use Facebook to show what makes your pub unique—whether that’s your sense of humor, your support for local causes, your knowledge of good beer, or just your genuine love of hospitality.
People don’t just go to pubs for drinks—they go for the atmosphere, the welcome, and the feeling of being part of something. Make sure your Facebook shows all of that.
Track What’s Working
Facebook provides good insights about which posts and ads are bringing people in. Pay attention to which content gets the most engagement, shares, and comments. If posts about your food get more interest than your drinks posts, focus more on food content. If your regulars love seeing photos from events, share more of those.
Also pay attention to quiet periods and busy times. Maybe your Facebook posts on Thursday evenings bring in more weekend customers, or your lunchtime posts attract more evening diners.
Timing Your Posts
Think about when your customers are most likely to be on Facebook and planning their next visit. Thursday and Friday evenings are great for weekend promotion. Monday mornings might work for midweek offers. Match days need posts well in advance so people can plan.
Handle Complaints Professionally
Sometimes you’ll get negative comments or reviews on Facebook. Respond professionally, try to resolve issues privately, and show that you care about customer satisfaction. How you handle problems publicly shows potential customers what kind of service they can expect.
Ready to Get Started?
Facebook marketing can be brilliant for pubs in Preston, but getting it right takes some understanding of what works in the hospitality industry and how to showcase your pub’s unique character.
If you’d like a little help setting up your Facebook strategy or figuring out what might work best for your pub, just reach out to us at OrbitClimb. We’re happy to chat about your goals and show you how Facebook marketing can help you connect with more people in Preston who are looking for their next favorite local pub.
Whether you’re looking to fill quiet midweek evenings, attract more diners, or just build that loyal community of regulars, the right Facebook strategy can transform how people discover and think about your pub.