I have just heard the appalling news that one of my favourite Brighton Boozers is about to close. The Battle of Trafalgar is one of about three Pubs near to our home that we frequented.
So, Boris, if you should become Britain's next PM, forget about all this bloody Brexit, and USA diplomacy, nonsense, and face-up to far more serious matters.
I am, of course talking about the disastrous closure of so many Pubs. I believe that between 12 and 20 Pubs are closing every week. This is a disaster for the UK, as the Pub is the very foundation of good community life; whether it be in central London, or the tiniest hamlet in darkest Shropshire.
Tax on Beer needs to be seriously reduced. A pint of bitter should never cost more than £1.
Business Rates should also be drastically cut for Public Houses. I recently heard a Publican saying that his rates were around £120,000 pa; THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS! How on earth can we expect our Pubs to stay open if they're having to pay such crazy sums.
Make this a priority policy, and the Tories may even get re-elected. Fail to act; and you'd stand no chance!
Sounds as though you may live in the good old days, in your mind. Don't know how much a pint costs now but £1 I bet it ain't.
ReplyDeleteIf only....
The last time I lived in England, a pint had just reached 50p and I thought it was outrageous. The current price is ALL tax, the raw materials cost almost nothing. There are plenty of other things they could tax; how about Road Tax on caravans for a start.
DeleteQuite distressing to hear about so many pub closures.
ReplyDeleteWith the diabolical amounts of rates expected from landlords, together with punitive tax levels on beer, I'm surprised there's any small village pubs left open.
Even the governments own experts have warned that current levels of tax are counter-productive, every rise sees less customers and eventually leads to unemployment in the whole industry. But as usual they ignore any advice they don't like.
It must be said that the smoking ban has also had a huge impact on visits to the local, who wants to stand outside in the cold, wind and rain to have a ciggie? I appreciate the non-smoking lobby will disagree, but I would have thought that it was possible to leave the choice, smoking in the bar, non-smoking in the lounge? Or is that just too sensible?
In some ways it's also a shame that certain religious groups don't drink. If they did, and they became part of the 'regulars' down at the local, it would do wonders for integration. The ban on smoking has certainly helped the demise too.
DeleteSocial habits have changed dramatically too, apart from outrageous pub landlords rents, cheap drink offers at supermarkets means much cheaper to drink at home with your Smart Phone and Facebook and Snapchat for talking to your mates.
ReplyDeleteI don't think people appreciate how important a 'local pub' is to life in Britain; especially out in the country. If they're not careful they could soon become a thing of the past.
DeleteHere in Harpenden( a small town of some 30K people!) there have recently been 4 pubs that have had big re-furbs !!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds encouraging, but I hope they've not all become 'Theme Pubs', or even 'Chain Pubs'!
DeleteFairly recently had a pint (equivalent) for a pound (equivalent) in a pub (equivalent) in the Czech Republic.
ReplyDeleteWhat's a pint cost in France? Here it's generally €2.60 to €4.00 depending on quality, strength and other factors.
I really have no idea, it's been years since I had a beer in a bar; but I'm certain it wouldn't be anywhere near the £5 a pint (or more) they charge in the UK.
DeleteOur pub next door offers good food for a reasonable price, and that is the way of most pubs round here. Pubs are not the same as you remember, big business and all that.
ReplyDeleteBut of course there is microbrewery, handcrafted beer which has slowly taken off. For instance,
https://www.helmsleybrewingco.co.uk/
A Pub' that serves good reasonably priced food is a treasure. It seems to be the way they're going.
DeleteI am with you 100% on this Monsieur Cro. The loss of British pubs is very tragic and it has been hurried along by government victimisation and ignorance. When a community loses its pub it is gone forever and customers are driven back inside their homes with i-pads and Netflix and text messaging for company. Many of the pubs that do remain are corporate chain pubs that are food-led. As I say it is a cultural tragedy.
ReplyDeleteI find it all very serious. It's one of those things that you don't realise how essential they are until they're gone. I think any new PM could do a lot worse than to make it a priority.
DeleteIT'S 2.30 pm, AND AROUND 30 C, AND I'VE JUST SEEN A BAT FLYING AROUND ABOVE OUR BARN. WHAT CAN IT BE DOING?
ReplyDeletePubs close round here too - very sad.
ReplyDeleteIn a couple of generations they won't know what a proper 'Pub' was.
DeletePubs like Wetherspoons go from strength to strength and their beer and food is very reasonable priced.
ReplyDeleteWetherspoons have appeared since I lived in the UK, so I've not experienced them. But they do seem to be a very different experience to that of an old fashioned Pub' such as The Trafalgar.
DeleteI remember all the Pubs I have visited on several trips to the U.K. Many many years ago. I loved them from the small ones in a Village to the City ones. The smaller ones had the locals chatting and even some had their gud dugs welcome.
ReplyDeleteIn every new pub I went to for lunch I tried the special meat pies, shepherd pies or a plowman's lunch. Everyone was different and so good.
I thought this was the best and even so much better than the "Bars" in America.
I hope they do not close this seems to be a very important part of village, town and neighborhood life.
As a tourist, I took so many photos of the Pubs and signs, unfortunately they were all burned in the house fire.
parsnip
You're right, they also play a big part in tourism. There's nothing more 'British' than a cosy Pub'.
DeleteOur village pub, The Crown, is due to re-open in September with new owners after being shut for 10 months. I hope they serve good food otherwise I can't see how it will survive.
ReplyDeleteFood has now become the essential element. So many are now Restaurants that serve Beer.
Deletetax on beer and the no smoking inside has killed the pub off
ReplyDeleteAnd done willingly by government!
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