Is the pub dead?

When I was 18-25 we were in the pub constantly… either watching footy or just spending our wages socialising…. I don't think it's just my age but it seems like pubs are dying off.  There was the smoking ban, then the energy price increase, then the credit crunch and now we're heading for a recession… Last time I went to watch footy there were about 20 people in the whole place… are they dying off or is it a missconception…?  I only ever really use them for pub lunch now  :dontknow:

My local seems fine . It's full every weekend.  

my old local is shutting soon...my local now, went 2 yrs ago?? getting worse by me...

Only a few actually shut but they seem like they're going to turn that way up here… I'm in a small town and work in another small town… both have pubs which just seem lifeless … wonder if it's a small town thing then?

Pubs closing for business at a rate of 36 per week | The Independent | The Independent

I work in a pub and although we are currently busier than ever, pubs are finding it harder and harder to make money. One thing that has recently annoyed me is that as VAT has dropped to 15%, but they have sneakily added an 8% rise in beer tax, partly because the government are trying to cut the rate of drunks on the streets. However supermarkets, in my opinion, are the main culprits, As they sell cheap alcohol to, lets face it, anyone where they can then drink as much as they want, anywhere they want. Whereas in a pub, you are in a supervised environment where you are not served if deemed to have had too much. I don't think the government have realised this and this is why small local pubs where people go to have a chat or watch the footy over a beer are suffering.

However there are more reasons than just supermarkets selling cheap alcohol. Brewery owned pubs are having to increase the cost of rent to cover their costs which makes it even harder for the owners to stay afloat.

On a lighter note, pubs have been around since… forever? I dont think they will die out.

Sorry for the rant but its something that is really getting to me.
Joe

Thanks Joe it's not a rant bud as I asked the question and wanted to know peoples views.  With all the costs going up it's no wonder it's dead when I go into town pubs… unless it's just my deoderant  8O !?  It's definitely cost which makes people stay at home and drink…. plus you can invite people round with the console games around now… and cheap beer from super markets.  It's sad seeing these pubs close as like you say… some have been there since day dot!!!

The two pubs in the village I grew up in are both shut, the one at the end of the road were I live now was pulled down about a year ago.

Think its due to many things;

Price, the only people who can afford to go out 3 or 4 times a week at ?3+ a pint are youngsters who go to town centre pubs/clubs anyway.

Supermarkets do under-cut on price and finish off not just local pubs but small shops etc

Drink driving and smoking ban etc means thats its easier to stay at home with a bottle of red and watch wide screen sky telly

People aren't socialable anaimals these days, they don't do socal things like drinking in the local any more. (they communicate from their homes via 'tinernet on site this 8O )

And in the pubs that are left you stand a good chance of being killed by flying glass or attacked by a premiership footballer….

the pub im running is quiet, but then if people in the village supported there pub wouldnt be so bad, i think the big chain pubs will always do well.the smoking ban definatly do the pub buisnness any good. what annoyed me more was people who dont smoke said we will be out more and where are they then, bring smoking back, and cheaper beer.

I don't smoke but I do miss walking into a pub and having that smoky atmosphere it made it more of a relaxed I thought. I dont like pubs as much now that they seem cleaner  :dontknow:

JoeHayes said

I don't smoke but I do miss walking into a pub and having that smoky atmosphere it made it more of a relaxed I thought. I dont like pubs as much now that they seem cleaner  :dontknow:

i know what you mean, i think the same too. and i've never smoked!

you will find the publicans blame the government for over taxing and the supermarkets for under cutting but the real criminals are the breweries and pub chains. The freehold pubs buy beer for anything between 0-80p a pint. the same beer costs a leasehold pub upwards of ?1.60 a pint. the brewery then sells the same beer for about 8p a can to distributors such as bookers or direct to supermarkets.

bigdave your spot on!!! really hacks me off big style

JoeHayes said

I don't smoke but I do miss walking into a pub and having that smoky atmosphere it made it more of a relaxed I thought. I dont like pubs as much now that they seem cleaner  :dontknow:

come in my pub after 11 you get the smokey pub again

JoeHayes said

I don't smoke but I do miss walking into a pub and having that smoky atmosphere it made it more of a relaxed I thought. I dont like pubs as much now that they seem cleaner  :dontknow:

Now the smell of smoking has gone all you can smell is stale beer and urine Mmmmm  :mrgreen:

which pub you work in Joe?  Our lass works in the Barley Mow (Yes she is a 'barley mow ho'!)  Whist it hasnt got much quieter in there, I do agree with you - the pub smell is missing - takes away from the experience.  Although I will always prefer going down the pub to meet me mates than gettin them round for a few cans

haha a "Barley mo ho!", they have a reputation! I work at the Old Poets Corner in Ashover.

ahh...dont know that one, will have to keep an eye out next time im up that end

One of the things I've pushed for at the pub I work the doors at is a good smoking area out back.
Walled in on 3 sides with a really really large brolly and heaters getting fitted soon.
The 2 pubs opposite both have smokers smoking in the street.

I've heard tales that later this year in Ireland they're going to allow smoking rooms.
That's how it should have been in the first place, lounge and smoking room, seperate.

All the pubs i go are rammed but im a lazy tax dodging student.  

All seem to be fine around my area, still plenty of ediots about