Łódzkie puby jako atrakcja turystyczna miasta w opinii przechodniów i osób przyjeżdżających do Łodzi

Abstract

The article has been devoted to pubs of Łódź and its main aim is to prove that pubs are treated as one of significant attractions of the city. The research conducted by the author shows changes in quantitative structure of Łódź pubs, indicates on most commonly visited pubs according to their guests’ preferences, sex, age, education, job activity and the place of accommodation. The survey was conducted among passing residents and visitors to Łódź. It has been accepted that a pub is a catering shop with limited range of food services, with a very wide range of cultural-entertaining services, possessing at least 30 seats at tables and 5 seats at a bar, with a specific décor and ambience, with a given type of music and organizing social events. The number of pubs in Łódź has been still increasing. The highest increase in number was observed between 1995–2000. 61% of now existing pubs came into being then. The growing amount of pubs till 2002 was caused by an increased interest among guests (a fad for meetings in pubs), and also it was due to newly established academic schools in the city and, in consequence, the rise in number of students, a social group visiting pubs most often. Transformation of many restaurants into pubs contributed to this dynamic growth as well. Analysing localization of pubs in Łódź in 2002, it may be observed that they are very densely located within geodetic region of Śródmieście. Within the borders of geodetic region S06 (Piotrkowska street from the crossing with Narutowicz street till the crossing with Mickiewicz street and all the streets crossing the main road of Łódź) there is the highest, fifth level of pub density (above 14 pubs per square kilometre. From 216 geodetic regions in Łódź, in 173 of them, which comprises 84% of the town area, there are no pubs. Every third pub is localized on the most representative street of Łódź – Piotrkowska street – whereas the neighbouring streets either vertical or horizontal to Piotrkowska street, host 19% of pubs. Results of investigations show that among 1264 respondents about 89.24% have visited pubs, and 81% considered pubs to be an important tourist attraction of the town. About 78% of respondents declared a visit to a pub as the most interesting attraction of Łódź, with the priority over a walk along Piotrkowska Street, visiting Poznański’s Palace, Księży Młyn or the Jewish Cemetery. Among respondents 77% admitted visiting pubs even twice a week, out of which 22% three or more times. A group of 10% visited pubs irregularly, and 11% did not visit pubs at all. Majority of respondents declared visiting their favourable pubs, which enabled to determine most often visited pubs according to sex, age, education, job activity, and a place of accommodation. The most popular pubs of Łódź are: Łódź Kaliska, Fabryka, Jama Madejowa, West Side, Siódemki. The research shows that cultural-entertaining activity of pubs has undoubtedly, a significant influence on the tourist development of the town. Pubs attract not only citizens but also tourists. They are inhabitants of satellite towns of Łódź, often ex-residents of the city, and inhabitants of smaller towns with limited range of entertainment attractions. Thus, pubs in Łódź play a promotional role, presenting Łódź and its values in our country. Results of the research enabled to determine the profile of the pub’s visitor. It is a 24-year-old female student, a citizen of Łódź, visiting pubs because of their ambience and considering pubs to be the most significant tourist attraction of the town. While analysing reasons for visiting pubs, respondents most often gave: the pub’s ambience – 90%, a place for meeting friends – 88%, dancing events – 77%, artistic events – 60%. Both inhabitants of Łódź and visitors appreciate pubs’ function in cultural-entertaining role of the town, considering them to be a significant tourist attraction.