Pubs may have to call 'time' as their popularity declines
They were once an essential after-work stop – but the popularity of pubs is waning, with more than a third at risk of closure over the next year.
The figure, in line with the national average, compares to 24 per cent of other businesses which are at risk, according to R3, the body which represents insolvency experts.
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Observers have largely attributed the demise to the availability of cheap supermarket booze, which undercuts pubs. In tough economic times, increasing numbers are prepared to sacrifice visiting a pub to save money and drink at home.
Not long ago, Callington had three thriving pubs – but two have recently closed. Town mayor Jeremy Gist said the situation was "sad, but symptomatic of society".
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He said: "The very people who say 'oh isn't it a shame, we've lost our pub' are the same people who go tripping off to the supermarket to buy their beer and wine.
"As a country, I think we would be better off if we returned to the days when alcohol was the domain of specialist off-licenses, bars and clubs."
He said pubs had traditionally been on a par with churches or chapels as the hub of community life, and said: "Take that away, and society becomes very insular."
In Barnstaple, town centre manager Craig Bulley said the community was "lucky" to have lost just two of its 19 bars and clubs. But he said: "I have no doubt that in the same way that retailers are facing challenging times, the evening economy sector is facing hard times, too."
Jon Dunkley, chairman of Barnstaple's Chamber of Commerce, said it was particularly difficult for people to get finance to take over a pub. And he said new regulations governing gaming machines would make life yet more difficult for landlords.
He said: "A lot of people who are bailing out and getting rid of their assets aren't able to do so, so the whole thing just goes down the pan."
Steve Scarff, chairman of the Licensed Victuallers' Association in the South West, and landlord at Plymouth's Railway Inn, said seven pubs in the surrounding Stoke area had gone out of business in the last fortnight alone.
He believes much of the fault lies with supermarkets, but said pub operators who tied licensees in to contracts which meant they paid higher prices for drinks was also a major issue.
Mr Scarff, who gave up the Mermaid at Eggbuckland four years ago because of his contract, said: "I was paying £184 for a keg of Fosters. Now I'm freehold, I can get it for £84, and yet prices have gone up by 17 per cent. It's a fight to keep the place alive. It's ridiculous."
Now, business is thriving, but Mr Scarff has invested in facilities such as Sky Sports packages and live entertainment which is hard for struggling businesses to afford.
Joanne Rumley, chair of the R3 South West and Wales region and partner at law firm Bond Pearce, said customers were getting more discerning. "Some pubs desperately require reinvestment but currently, there isn't enough ready cash to do so or funders aren't necessarily interested in investing more money. Those who cannot compete with the most trendy, convenient or best value may well face closure in the not too distant future."
Comments
by suffolkpunch
Thursday, October 04 2012, 10:15PM
“If pubs had ventilation systems and there were checks on air quality there would have been no need for a smoking ban in pubs and clubs.”
by josdave
Thursday, October 04 2012, 8:17PM
“It's not popularity it's the price. I would much rather drink in a pub, a real pub not an eatery with a bar attached, than a club or at home but it's the price as far as I'm concerned. As a pensioner I can't afford to go out often and when I do it's the local club where drinks are cheaper. Occasionally I do go to the pub and that is my preference but for the cost especially now I don't have to breathe in cigarette smoke.”
by THWOGGLE
Thursday, October 04 2012, 10:33AM
“It's the pub industry's own fault. They have alienated the section of the comunity with the most disposable income and spending power - the 30 years old and above. They have made some lovely pubs with comunity centre status into little more than unruly youth clubs.
On a night out to one of the more discerning pubs I would aim to spend £100 or so on food and drink for me and my wife. I will only do this in an establishment with the right atmosphere which does not include one with fruit machines, juke boxes or televisions. Pubs used to be for adults. Now they seem to be mainly frequented by callow, spotty, tatooed and pierced yobs and their chavvy girlfriends, spending their dole money on booze they can't really afford or handle.”
by Phil_lip
Thursday, October 04 2012, 10:02AM
“Totally agree Ger, it is a case of complaining after the horse has bolted the stable but to twist the facts like this story has into the problem being solely something else is sad.”
by Big_Ger
Thursday, October 04 2012, 9:44AM
“It is only the cities or tourist pubs that are still afloat, local's pubs on the scale they were when they were the centre of communities have died."
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Well if the "local's" did not support their local boozer sufficiently, what do you expect to happen?”
by Phil_lip
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 9:19PM
“Yes Bartribe but there are a lot less pubs and a lot of people have lost their livelihoods and investments over the last few years, that doesn't really make up for the number of pubs left that non smokers can now enjoy. I know many areas in devon that had 2 or 3 pubs, some villages or areas in towns and now they are lucky to have 1 in the wider area at all. It is only the cities or tourist pubs that are still afloat, local's pubs on the scale they were when they were the centre of communities have died.”
by barrtribe
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 9:00PM
“by the same reasoning, more people have started going to pubs now that we dont have to sit and breath in others people smoke with every sip .”
by Phil_lip
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 7:09PM
“Trying to re-write history in the making, and this isn't the only paper that will have a story like this in the coming months.”
by cheekyman_jr
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 4:23PM
“Smoking ban + expensive drinks = empty pub”
by suffolkpunch
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 3:55PM
“The smoking ban started a trend of people drinking at home where they can enjoy a cigarette/cigar with their drink with friends and family.
Until amendments are made to the ban thousands more pubs and clubs will close.”