"we don't have communities anymore, where the local pub was a place to congregate at the weekend, after a hard week at work, and let off a bit steam"
you see em10, we do in our village. but for me this means arounnd £4 a pint, you don't generally go by yourself so its another £3-£4 for a wine for mrs kou, or £4+ for a g&t. by the time you've had two drinks you've spent the best part of £20 and if the kids are with us, a few quid for a couple of fruit shoots and its an expensive half hour.
unfortunately some pubs are being taxed out of business.