The Great British Pub Is In Danger Of Extinction

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) is pleading with the government for clarity on when pubs can reopen. The BBPA said that unless pubs received more assistance, even once they were allowed to reopen, thousands would fail and be lost for good. Publicans have built up substantial debts during the pandemic. A year of lockdowns and restrictions has seen industry sales plummet by nearly 60 per cent. Sales are at their lowest since the 1920’s. The government reiterated that it has a plan for re-opening the economy which it will reveal after February 22nd.

Philip Whitehead, chairman of the British Beer & Pub Association told the BBC:

“After nearly a whole year under forced closure, or open but under severe restrictions, pub trade has been decimated and sales of beer in pubs have plummeted . Furthermore, due to their revenue falling off a cliff in 2020, pubs are holding debt and have little to no cash left.”

Mark Davies, boss of Hawthorn, the Community Pub Company with over 700 pubs said:

“I cannot emphasise enough how important it is that the government recognises the role that pubs play in so many communities around the UK and that pubs are part of the fabric of our society.”

660,000 hospitality jobs were lost in 2020 alone, because of the government’s coronavirus interventions. That’s a mindboggling figure. That’s 660,000 real people by the way, folks with mortgages, rent, bills and of course children to feed. There is nowhere for them to go. The stress and despair that they will undoubtedly be suffering, will see many of these people fall seriously ill. I’ve been there. I speak from personal experience. The government and the witch doctors advising it, couldn’t give a damn.

I was struck by something that Luc (from Kate & Luc’s Café in Burnage), said to me on the radio show on Monday. Luc and his wife have refused to close their business, resulting in him being arrested and fined. He said that the café is a focal point in the community. People who live on their own he told me, drop in for a chat, a bit of companionship and to hear the news. Speak to anyone who lives rurally. The pub is the community’s lighthouse.

Dr Ignazio Cabras explored the role of village pubs in creating community cohesion in rural England, for York University. He said:

“In rural England, pubs are often the nodes and centres of the local social network and perform important social, economic and community functions in maintaining village life. They play an important role in enhancing and stimulating socio-economic activities inside local communities, such as business activities, volunteering organisations and charities, and leisure services. These initiatives contribute to enhancing quality of life and wellbeing at a local level.”

As things stand, more than half of British pubs will close their doors for good this year. As I said already, neither the government nor the idiots advising it, care about the devastation they are causing. It is wicked, as are they. Why the industry doesn’t circle the wagons, tell the government to get stuffed and open up anyway, is beyond me. God helps those who help themselves I’ve been told. What could the authorities do if thousands of landlords across the country opened this weekend? Arrest them all? Be stout of heart, throw open them there doors and mines a double Bacardi & Coke please.

 

 

 

 

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