Micropubs seem to be the way forward; I wish them well: https://www.rugbyadvertiser.co.uk/news/micropub-with-no-music-or-television-opens-in-rugby-1-8480541

I'm a big fan.

I looked into setting one up for a friend, but simply couldn't make the numbers work. It seems to me that the most successful (profit wise) are those that are paying little or no rent.

Hail to the Ale (Wolverhampton) is often cited as a great success, but I believe there is little to no rent paid on the property. - I can't remember the details, but suspect the publican owns it outright, and I think there is a tie up with a brewery.

My son in law set up a micro pub In Bude Cornwall early 2017.
The Barrel Bude is a huge success and now has music nights, a serious book club and all drinks are Cornish.with no tie ups with any one brewer. I went Many small brewers with him to source, Some of the brewers were in small buildings on farms , and one was in an old Mot centre as big as my small kitchen.
All were very clinical

I'm a semi-regular in Stratford Alehouse; they have a constantly rotating range of really good beers.