why are our pubs going to the wall?

[Bobbisox]

It's so sad that the English pub is being 'pushed ' out of existence

[Mamyalynne]

Exorbitant rents, cheap supermarket alcohol and the smoking ban to name three reasons.

[ELVIS68]

The new going out is staying in...more people cook and drink is cheaper

[boxtops]

Huge decline round here but it's been going on for years. When I worked in the brewing industry there was one on every corner. Monopoly and the Beer Orders in the eighties started the decline, as mamya says other factors have then done the rest.

[MarkRae]

That's true, Lynne, though the smoking ban is fantastic, IMO. I think that the country is still a long way from recovering from the credit crunch - there's just not so much money about.

[Bobbisox]

it is a sad phenomenon that this is happening

[pussnboots]

Can't afford it anymore Bobbi, glass of wine and a rum n coke £6.65. Only go to pub now if meeting friends and I make 2 at most drinks last all night.

[Mamyalynne]

I don't overall disagree with the smoking ban , but the other two reasons are very relevant and I speak from experience of a close friend especially with regard to the excessive rent hikes.

[boxtops]

People can't afford it, either, having a beer at home is very much cheaper, but not so sociable.

[welshlibranr]

greedy breweries!......smoking ban...........need I say more!.......that's it!................

[MarkRae]

Coupled with the increasing amount of entertainment choice, Bobbi. More and more people these days have access to more and more technology. Not just DVD players, but hundreds of channels, including movies and sports, Wiii, etc. It all contributes to the filtering of the pubs' market share...

[DTCwordfan]

Sorry to digress bobbi on your thread.

Mark you were, apparently, seeking me out earlier????? I was out to one of te pubs still going.

[Bobbisox]

yes Mamya, it appears if a pub does well , the rent goes up, doesn't make sense imo

[The-Toff-]

Simply because folk can not afford the high prices of drinks, brought about by greedy breweres and greedy govenments.

[karenmac60]

I wouldn't know about English pubs Bobbi ;) Up here it's too ruddy cold to smoke outside and it costs a fortune to have a couple of watered down drinks. At least when I stay home I know the drinks are full strength and I can put a throw round me to go out for a cig.

[Mick-Talbot]

this , in theory... could be good.

[DaisyNonna]

As a mature widowed lady would not feel welcome if I visited a pub alone.

[Bobbisox]

good point Karen, I am a non smoker but I think the ban has helped kill the pub trade

[DEN53]

Nobody wants to dance with me, so I have come in here. Evening All.

All our pubs here are closing down - lots of To Let signs everywhere. Its all wine bars and clubs now.

[Buenchico]

The best will survive.

For example, this pub has only been open for a couple of months, yet it's nearly always full to bursting. Around 20 real ales (all straight from the barrel) and several excellent (if extremely potent!) ciders.
http://www.stjudesbrewery.co.uk/

I was drinking there last night, downing a few pints of one of their own beers (4.4% ABV). The price marked on the barrel was £2.60 per pint but, because I took my own pewter tankard, I paid just £2.10 per pint.

Excellent beers, knowledgeable staff, great service and low prices results in a packed pub!