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The death of the pub
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So last night we went out for a drink.
We have three pubs very close to our home so we are quite lucky.
Pub no 1 lovely pub but full of families and kids running around like a playground.the bar area pretty void of anyone just a few couples.
Pub number two
Even fewer people no families about ten people in total of which we where the youngest by about 10/15years, no music no atmosphere.
Pub no three practically empty apart from the landlady pretend wrestling with another woman drawing on each others face's with marker pens!!!
Where does everyone go or does everyone stay at home?
What about all the singles at the weekend are they just sat at home on phones chatting with others doing the same??
It's a well known fact about the amount of pub's that close every day in the UK, it easy to see why.
Little effort made by management or places just going down the gastropub route and ignoring people who just want to socialise without eating.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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There are a few good pubs left. I'm lucky enough to live next to one of those. Good regulars, good atmosphere, music, gin nights, rock n roll bingo, tribute acts etc.
But yeah, most places these days are fancy bars or devoid of atmosphere. Shame really.
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We’re lucky around here. Lots of good pubs that have managed to balance being good ‘locals’ pubs and drawing in the ‘dining’ crowd.
Lots of people choose to holiday around here so they go all out to bring in the money in the summer months, gets them through the leaner winter time.
Only down side is it’s all fairly rural so there is usually driving involved, but you can share it around or split the taxi money. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Well I’ve been in Leeds this weekend and was amazed at how many pubs there are here and how vibrant and full the nightlife is. The pubs were heaving and lots of groups travelling in for hen or stag nights... |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Real local pubs are on their last legs; people don’t go to the pub in the week like they used to.
The pub that was my local where I grew up was always busy in the week, but I called in for a pint with my dad the other week and there were only 6 people in. They get busy early door as they do food, but after 8 it’s dead.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"People have a lot less disposable income these days - a night down the pub is often perceived as an expensive treat."
True. I dont go often but if I do it's just for a couple, to socialise and have a laugh. I'm not one to go out for the night as such. Couple of hours does me. |
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My local is a cracking pub, as a regular I know the management and staff, the atmosphere is warm and pretty friendly, there's a kid free zone in the area where I drink.
Compared to years ago tho the night time is pretty dead, I usually go in the afternoon at weekends or a couple after work.
Can't remember the last time i stayed till closing in a pub. |
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By *aitonelMan
over a year ago
Liverpool |
Depends on the pub and location.
Firstly that general "local social" aspect has gone. Life and times have moved on from being super friendly with your neighbours.
Lifestyles have changed, there are a lot more health conscious people that barely drink alcohol (despite the brush younger generations are painted with).
There were once just too many. Fact! Around Liverpool for example there is/was a pub every few street corners. Most are closed down now but point is there is no way that many could survive and compete with each other.
Location of the pubs are a big deal too, in the city centre a pub can survive because it is surrounded by other nightlife. Elsewhere they fall victim to the above issues.
Finally the effort of those running it plays a huge part, do you want a more lively place or essentially a place for all the old d*unks to gather and tell their stories while propped up at the end of the bar.
Pubs are still doing fine depending on location and effort. However the pub scene as a whole is nothing more than an age old relic of a time gone by. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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As someone who was raised in pubs and the daughter of landlord landlady, I will tell you why.
The taxman.
They tax so high on alcohol pubs have to charge more now, so much so it is too expensive for people to go out anymore.
The smoking ban also started the demise, as many liked a pint and a fag, granted, many have now quit smoking which is good, but it did contribute.
To be a tenant now they ask too much for a lease upfront, then up the rent once you have been there a year.
It is no longer affordable to pay staff and get in entertainment.
Food pubs are the only ones making money because beer alone just does not make enough profit now. |
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We don't have a local anymore (both demolished to create more housing) but at least we have one safe pub just within walking distance - which also happens to be the only proper real ale pub for miles (10 different real ales every night).
One reason we don't often go to pubs is the hassle we get because we look "weird", which is why we were delighted when we tried the real ale pub and no one had a go at us.
We also hold our monthly steampunk socials there now, so at least that helps bring on a few £'s |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"We don't have a local anymore (both demolished to create more housing) but at least we have one safe pub just within walking distance - which also happens to be the only proper real ale pub for miles (10 different real ales every night).
One reason we don't often go to pubs is the hassle we get because we look "weird", which is why we were delighted when we tried the real ale pub and no one had a go at us.
We also hold our monthly steampunk socials there now, so at least that helps bring on a few £'s"
People only judge what they dont understand, and only narrowminded people hate on something/one that is different.
I am not steampunk but I do love it alot and often been tempted to get a few things.
I also see you have the same hellbunny coat as me, except mine is in teal  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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There is very little money in running a pub. Unless you have a really good food menu and or B&B accommodation, you will be working for near minimum wage. Not sure what numbers are now but at one time 50 pubs closing a month. |
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Village pubs are all but dead, the one in the village I grew up in has had millions spent on it and closed then reopened several times over the last decade or so and they just can't get people in any more. At one point when I was younger it was the central hub of the place and everyone went in.
Since moving to York I find pubs are reasonably busy, but it's still mainly people of my generation who know how to socialise as the youngsters don't go out en masse as they used to when I hit 18 and from observation they spend all night taking heavily posed selfies for Instagram rather than enjoying themselves  |
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By *aitonelMan
over a year ago
Liverpool |
"Village pubs are all but dead, the one in the village I grew up in has had millions spent on it and closed then reopened several times over the last decade or so and they just can't get people in any more. At one point when I was younger it was the central hub of the place and everyone went in.
Since moving to York I find pubs are reasonably busy, but it's still mainly people of my generation who know how to socialise as the youngsters don't go out en masse as they used to when I hit 18 and from observation they spend all night taking heavily posed selfies for Instagram rather than enjoying themselves "
They are enjoying themselves, just because your sense of enjoyment is different from theirs, it doesn't make theirs any less valid.
Just as how I take no enjoyment from being in a pub, no more than I do from taking selfies for Instagram. |
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We have about 7 pubs writhing a 10 minutes walk.
A couple of them are lucky to get more than a handful of people in them. Another averages maybe 10-15 one runs live bands or karaoke at weekends and has a nightclub attached and does ok. The other is always absolutely heaving and you would struggle to get into as it has constant live bands and music etc. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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There are a whole host of reasons why the pub industry has been struggling of late.
The smoking ban, introduced in 2007 will have had an impact, especially in the colder months.
And also, times change. When the public house was first introduced many centuries ago, things were a lot different. Attitudes change. Peoples desires change.
For a long time it used to be that the man of the house would spend his evenings in the pub while his Mrs was at home with the kids, or so it seemed. That certainly used to be a stereotype. Now that men take a greater interest in their children, fewer are going to the pub.
I'm probably generalising, but I suspect that a lot of pubs are becoming gastropubs in an effort to survive the change in social habits |
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By *iger4uWoman
over a year ago
In my happy place |
My local used to be a great home cooked food pub. Now part of a chain. Carvery n kid friendly. As its right on coast it gets v busy in warmer weather.
Zero atmosphere. Drinks are more expensive than Newcastle City Centre!!!
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Our local town has had a load of pubs shut down.
Slightly showimg my age but i think the internet has killed pubs. Depending how old you are but there was only 4 or 3 channels on tv, a house phone. There was nothing to do at home so you went with your mates to the pub, i always found it a disaster if you had to stay in!
Now you can message, stream tv, movies, watch porn, go on fab swingers ect whereas 20 years ago this wasnt an option.
Does make me feel and sound old posting this! |
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"Village pubs are all but dead, the one in the village I grew up in has had millions spent on it and closed then reopened several times over the last decade or so and they just can't get people in any more. At one point when I was younger it was the central hub of the place and everyone went in.
Since moving to York I find pubs are reasonably busy, but it's still mainly people of my generation who know how to socialise as the youngsters don't go out en masse as they used to when I hit 18 and from observation they spend all night taking heavily posed selfies for Instagram rather than enjoying themselves
They are enjoying themselves, just because your sense of enjoyment is different from theirs, it doesn't make theirs any less valid.
Just as how I take no enjoyment from being in a pub, no more than I do from taking selfies for Instagram. "
So what do you enjoy? I've never been that much of a pub person, it was always somewhere to just get a few drinks down and catch up with mates while waiting for the nightclubs to open. But nightclubs have also died a death to what they once were, it was all about the superclubs in the 00's for me with the capacity for thousands of people but that has dramatically changed and most 'clubs' now are just bars with later opening hours and matchbox size dancefloors. If that's what the younger generation enjoy taking pictures of themselves all night then fair enough, but I'm glad I came of age in the late nineties to mid 00's  |
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By *estivalMan
over a year ago
borehamwood |
my old local been closed bout 4 yrs now.the reason the peeps who own it want 200 grand for the lease and they want who ever takes it over to spend another cpl hundred grand on updating the place thats why it still closed.looks great what they wana do with it but is never gona happen |
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Our local bars mostly fall into three categories (outside of nice or scruffy dive).
1) Family packed (no good for social meets lol).
2) Dead (also no good for social meets as the bar staff can hear everything).
3) Full of d*unks staggering around (really really no good for social meets).
Our town was a fantastic night out back in the 90s (showing out age). Loads of pubs and clubs with a great atmosphere. It's not terrible now but it's a pale imitation of what it was. People would rather go out of town for a night out now.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Society has changed , the smoking ban plus different cultures moving into the uk has changed the way we all live , but as someone also has said the internet is the biggest killer of pubs ,you don’t need to go out anymore you can buy drinks and food and get them delivered, you can watch thousands of channels not the 3 we used to have , |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I've noticed this all over OP.
I can't speak of my own locals because I'm banned from them for no fault of my own.. But I do a lot of travelling with my work and usually its not worth going out.
Three or four people sat at the bar paying upto £5 for a pint with no atmosphere whatsoever!
I always check out the pubs but I rather stay in my room with 4cans and have a chat on my phone. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Legend has it that Norwich have 365 pubs we’re going to Norfolk in May. Never been to Norwich before so lots of pubs sounds good! "
Prince of Wales road can be a little bit dodgy on a Saturday night , but generally a pleasant / safe place for a night out |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Most pubs packed everyday due to the fact the not one of them is more than £2 a pint tl
That's why weatherspoons is so busy "
Yep plus 4 others, can’t beat it |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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The cheapest place I had a pint was in Blackpool.
Cider, lager and bitter all £1.60p a pint. I had 6pints and change out of a tenner.
The thing is though, with cheap pubs you can always come across idiots in them. |
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Most pubs struggling or closing is primarily down to bad management. So many people run pubs for themselves not the customers. It's one of the only businesses left that can't go mail order. You need to keep those locals happy or you have nothing. I've seen it happen many times. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"You should come to Belfast.... it’s leaping mad at the weekend "
Yeah i thought most of the pubs I went to in Ireland were busier and had much more of a nicer atmosphere in them. |
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"Most pubs struggling or closing is primarily down to bad management. So many people run pubs for themselves not the customers. It's one of the only businesses left that can't go mail order. You need to keep those locals happy or you have nothing. I've seen it happen many times. "
Spot on.
A good pub with engaged staff and decent beer will keep the customers coming through the door.
Probably why the micropubs are booming .
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"So last night we went out for a drink.
We have three pubs very close to our home so we are quite lucky.
Pub no 1 lovely pub but full of families and kids running around like a playground.the bar area pretty void of anyone just a few couples.
Pub number two
Even fewer people no families about ten people in total of which we where the youngest by about 10/15years, no music no atmosphere.
Pub no three practically empty apart from the landlady pretend wrestling with another woman drawing on each others face's with marker pens!!!
Where does everyone go or does everyone stay at home?
What about all the singles at the weekend are they just sat at home on phones chatting with others doing the same??
It's a well known fact about the amount of pub's that close every day in the UK, it easy to see why.
Little effort made by management or places just going down the gastropub route and ignoring people who just want to socialise without eating.
"
Tbh number 2 sounds great to me. I used to love a few quiet pints in peace... |
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"So last night we went out for a drink.
We have three pubs very close to our home so we are quite lucky.
Pub no 1 lovely pub but full of families and kids running around like a playground.the bar area pretty void of anyone just a few couples.
Pub number two
Even fewer people no families about ten people in total of which we where the youngest by about 10/15years, no music no atmosphere.
Pub no three practically empty apart from the landlady pretend wrestling with another woman drawing on each others face's with marker pens!!!
Where does everyone go or does everyone stay at home?
What about all the singles at the weekend are they just sat at home on phones chatting with others doing the same??
It's a well known fact about the amount of pub's that close every day in the UK, it easy to see why.
Little effort made by management or places just going down the gastropub route and ignoring people who just want to socialise without eating.
"
Theres nothing I hate more than people letting their kids round around a pub like it's a playground. |
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"Most pubs struggling or closing is primarily down to bad management. So many people run pubs for themselves not the customers. It's one of the only businesses left that can't go mail order. You need to keep those locals happy or you have nothing. I've seen it happen many times.
Spot on.
A good pub with engaged staff and decent beer will keep the customers coming through the door.
Probably why the micropubs are booming .
"
I know of one of these pubs and it's so niche and remote with the owner unwilling to compromise it went from a busy local to empty in 2 weeks. |
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By *rjimMan
over a year ago
nr bristol |
Some problems are;
Pubs run by losers.
Bar staff who are to busy on their phones, untrained and too stupid to engage customers.
Prices thru the roof.
Toilets disgusting.
No control of the idiots in the bar.
Children running about unsupervised.
Poor food.
Dogs getting under your feet and sniffing your crutch.
Food prices the same as local restaurants... but in pub environment.
The inability to find anyone who is capable of reasonable intelligent conversation that does not involve rugby ,football or the soaps.
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