More and more snub the pub as cost of living crisis deepens - poll results
Most Mirror readers don't bother with the pub as much these days - as the cost of living crisis troubles both our pockets and the price of drinks.
We asked Do you visit the pub less often than you used to? A sizeable 849 said they visit less frequently now, with 251 popping in their local just as much as they used to, while 26 go even more than they had done in the past.
This was off the back of struggling publicans warning our much-loved local is at risk of disappearing forever unless the government steps in. Weary landlords told The Mirror they are being hammered by soaring energy bills as well as rising business rates, supplier costs and high VAT, causing prices to rise.
British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) data has shown that 509 UK pubs called last orders in 2023. And the BBPA says 750 more could shut in the first half of 2024. The beer and pub industry contributes £26 billion to the British economy and supports nearly a million jobs throughout its supply chain.
Pub bosses say the government must do more to save British boozers amid the tidal wave of closures, brought on by the perfect storm of spiralling costs of goods and employing staff, rising energy bills, lack of government help and customers continuing to tighten their belts.
Shop prices 'are yet to peak and will remain high' as inflation hits new heights
The BBPA says "Energy prices remain the number one reason for pub closures. Despite this, the Government [last year] significantly scaled back support for pubs with energy bills estimated to be almost £20,000 higher over a year as a result. Pub closures are increasing sharply, with the number of closures in the first half of 2023 almost as high as in the entirety of the year before leading to major brutal projected rate of closure in future."
'I only visit pubs that are reasonably priced'
Many of you commented on our story. Here's a selction of what some of you had to say:
Railwayboots: "I try to visit the pub as much as I used to, when I can afford to. However, I now ensure I only visit pubs that are reasonably priced but which still have good quality beer. Around £4 and £5 a pint is not acceptable to me and I'm more in the range of £2.50 to £3.20 a pint range. It's the only way I can still regularly visit the pub. Duty on beer and taxes on the licenced trade are far too high."
Pubpianoman: "As one of Britain's very last traditional pub pianists I have noticed the demise of the pub but the really good honest and traditional ones seem to be holding on, certainly as far as the south west goes. The pubs that seem to be struggling the most are those who tend to follow the latest trends as opposed to the ones that don't."
Dcwuk: "A pint, cigarette and a good old natter once was every working man's way of letting off steam, those days are gone."
Stonehaven2: "Myself and my family only use a pub for a lunchtime or evening meal and even then, perhaps once a month or less. As the wife and I are now in our late 70s, our hard drinking days are well behind us. We much prefer to have the very odd alcoholic drink at home. If all the pubs were closed, we'd never miss them as long as we can purchase our alcoholic drink to take home."
Supermon: "Saturday night TV makes me go out for a beer on a regular basis. Sunday session I also enjoy but wouldn't even contemplate going out every night because it would affect your health and wallet greatly!"
Hfchbffch: "The pub game finished, shame to see so many shut down".
What do YOU think? Do you visit the pub less often than you used to? Let us know
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
