Industry · municipality
Pubs in Vågan: Industry Analysis, Companies, and Outlook
A detailed overview of the pub industry in Vågan municipality based on operational statistics and company data
Brief Overview of the Pub Industry in Vågan
The pub industry in Vågan is a small but dynamic sector with two registered companies. In recent years, the industry has been marked by significant variations in revenue and number of employees, with a sharp decline in 2020 and 2023. Nevertheless, the past few years have shown a gradual increase in both revenue and number of employees, suggesting a gradual stabilization. The industry has not experienced bankruptcy in the municipality, but it is important to note the large fluctuations in operational results and employees over time.
Economic Trends for the Pub Industry
Revenue Trends
| Year | Revenue (NOK) | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 23.3M | - |
| 2017 | 23.7M | +1.6% |
| 2018 | 19.5M | -18.0% |
| 2019 | 22.5M | +15.6% |
| 2020 | 20.1M | -10.9% |
| 2021 | 26.1M | +29.9% |
| 2022 | 29.7M | +13.9% |
Employee Trends
| Year | Number of Employees | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 43 | - |
| 2017 | 47 | +9.3% |
| 2018 | 73 | +55.3% |
| 2019 | 97 | +32.9% |
| 2020 | 40 | -58.8% |
| 2021 | 33 | -17.5% |
| 2022 | 35 | +6.1% |
| 2023 | 11 | -68.6% |
| 2024 | 15 | +36.4% |
| 2025 | 16 | +6.7% |
| 2026 | 14 | -12.5% |
The industry has been marked by significant fluctuations, with a peak in 2019 and a sharp decline in 2020. There has been a gradual increase since 2022, but the number of employees has remained lower than in 2019.



Companies in the Pub Industry
Registered Companies
| Company | Address | Organizational Form | Employees | Bankruptcies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celix As | Torggata 9, Kabelvåg | AS | 17 | No bankruptcy |
| Olsen Bygdepub | Digermulveien 816, Digermulen | ENK | 0 | No bankruptcy |
Organizational Form Statistics
| Organizational Form | Number of Companies | Number of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| AS | 1 | 17 |
There are two companies registered in the industry, one of which is an AS with 17 employees. The other company, Olsen Bygdepub, has no employees after its registration in 2025.
Business Geography
Distribution by Location
| Location | Number of Companies | Number of Employees | Revenue (NOK) | Operational Income (NOK) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kabelvåg | 1 | 17 | 0 | 0 |
All companies in the industry are registered in Kabelvåg, where there is one company with 17 employees. No revenue or operational income has been reported for this company.

Operational Dynamics and Bankruptcy Statistics
Operational Dynamics
| Year | Number of Employees | Revenue (NOK) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 40 | 20.1M |
| 2021 | 33 | 26.1M |
| 2022 | 35 | 29.7M |
| 2023 | 11 | 0 |
| 2024 | 15 | 0 |
| 2025 | 16 | 0 |
There are no bankruptcy registrations in the industry in the municipality. However, data shows a significant decline in the number of employees in 2023, which may indicate operational challenges. No revenue has been reported for recent years, which may be a consequence of the decline in the number of employees and operational activity.
Outlook for Entrepreneurs
The pub industry in Vågan shows a gradual increase in revenue and number of employees after 2022, which may indicate stabilization. Nevertheless, the industry is marked by significant fluctuations, and it is important to be aware of the previous challenges. With two companies in the municipality and a relatively small market share, there may be opportunities for developing new pubs or adapting to local needs. However, it is important to assess operational risks and previous downturn trends before investing.
Outlook for the Bar/Club Sector
Comparison with the Bar/Club Sector
| Year | Revenue (NOK) | Number of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 21.7M | 44 |
| 2021 | 28.0M | 36 |
| 2022 | 31.7M | 39 |
| 2023 | 2.5M | 14 |
| 2024 | 3.1M | 18 |
| 2025 | 3.9M | 21 |
The broader bar/club sector in Vågan has a higher number of companies (5) compared to the pub industry (2). Revenue trends show a more stable development than the pub industry, with a sharp decline in 2023. However, the bar/club sector has shown a gradual increase since 2024. Peer companies such as Telegrafen Pub/bar As (NOK 3.9M revenue, 7 employees) and Arbeidern As (NOK 0 revenue, 5 employees) show significant variation in operational results and revenue.



Other companies in bar / klubb (not in pub)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telegrafen Pub/bar As | bar | Vestfjordgata 1, 8300 Svolvær | NOK 3.9M | 7 | NOK 343.0K |
| Arbeidern As | bar | Dreyers gate 72, 8312 Henningsvær | NOK 0 | 5 | NOK 0 |
| Småtindan As | bar | Svinøya, 8300 Svolvær | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK -4.0K |
Conclusion
The pub industry in Vågan has been marked by significant fluctuations over time, but shows a gradual increase in revenue and number of employees after 2022. With two companies in the municipality and a relatively small market share, there may be opportunities for developing new pubs or adapting to local needs. However, it is important to assess operational risks and previous downturn trends before investing. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs explore potential addresses in the municipality for this industry.