Pub trade facing closures 'bloodbath'
THE Westcountry could see a "bloodbath" of pub closures unless there is a cut in beer tax, a campaign group has warned.
The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) predicts the heart will be ripped out of communities, with one in eight pubs across the country calling time before 2012, if nothing is done to support them.
-
The credit crunch, spiralling tax hikes and competition from supermarkets are all being blamed for a slump in beer sales, which threatens to close up to 7,500 pubs in the next four years.
But despite the gloomy outlook, many pubs are fighting back and finding new ways to bring in the punters.
More musical events, shows and even loyalty cards are all being used by landlords to boost trade.
Camra spokesman Jon Howard said: "An important aspect of running a successful pub is to welcome consumers and cater for their individual needs.
"In this current economic climate, we at Camra have seen many examples of publicans who are bucking the trend, adopting innovative ways of generating custom through themed nights, beer festivals, and providing an all-round service to the community. Our research shows how 65 per cent of the UK population views the pub as an integral part of their lives, and this support should give hope to publicans affected by beer tax hikes and rising costs of overheads."
Ahead of the Chancellor's pre-Budget report on Monday, Camra is calling for a number of initiatives to ease the pressure on landlords, including a reduction in VAT and a minimum price per unit of alcohol to prevent it being sold at a loss in the off trade.
Camra chief executive Mike Benner said: "Action to support pubs in the pre-Budget report is essential in order to prevent a bloodbath of pub closures following the traditionally busy Christmas trading period."
Pubs across the region are already buckling under the strain of the credit crunch and any increase in tax could be a bitter blow.
"This year's increase in beer tax forced publicans to increase prices, making visiting the pub less affordable for hard- pressed consumers," said Mr Benner.
"To ensure pub-going remains affordable the Government must commit to a freeze on beer tax while they consider a reduced rate of tax on beer sold in pubs."
The Jolly Sailor Inn at Looe, built in 1516, is one of the oldest pubs in the country. Landlord Stuart Horton said: "It is crippling at the moment. I've never known anything like it. Fishermen and traders have always used this pub and it would be terrible if it was to go."
Mr Horton took over the pub three years ago when it was "very busy".
Now he is trading at a loss and has had to reduce his staff from seven to three.
James Staughton, managing director of St Austell Brewery, said more should be done to support local pubs.
He said: "January and February will be really difficult and they could be the two months that break a business. It would be a good idea for the Chancellor to go and support his local pub before it is lost.
"There is no doubt that the beer industry is under a lot of pressure. I think anything to support local businesses is essential."
To find out how pubs are fighting back, buy the WMN on Wednesday.
13 Comments
View all
by Justin, Cornwall
Monday, November 24 2008, 1:37PM
“Sorry to disappoint you Doc,but The Bilderberg Group are a threat to are way of life on this planet.You only have to look at the list's which can be seen free on the internet to see this is NO small grouping of non-entity business people. These are the elite's who are determined to create a New World Order which will be centred on America with a One World Government at it's centre. It's all to easy to say it's a conspiracy when you should look into what it really means for all of us in the future. Bilderberg has many attendees from the central banks,defense experts,mass media press barons who control the world's media outlet's,government minister's who are the foot soldiers to their policies world wide,Royalty,international financiers and political leaders. Potential President's are selected by the bilderberger's from there list's. These people ARE the mover's and shaker's of are world.Doc,what happens when WE the people lose the power to influence general elections.....because they have designed the system to go against us,we no longer have a free party system. It's become a 2-way paradime system....Conservative/New Labour,both parties are the same as each other.Look at America,....Republican/Democrat,but both parties preach the same agenda.....so the people never have a truly accountable political system. Why??.....because the elite's have hijacked and are destroying the very thing that we as a human society hold dear to are selves...........freedom of choice over who govern's us.You only have to look at what's happend to are banking system. They have created a new banking standard system by using financial terrorism against us.Then people wonder why Government's don't listen to them or why community life is disappearing at an alarming rate in our country..........all these thing's are connected to our financial systems and lead by the VERY people who you think just discuss the simple business structure of advice...now and a again!......TOTAL BULL!. These people are the new master's of the world. I would say to anyone.......do some research into these meetings.....because the more you do.......the more frightening it becomes.”
by Doc, Torre
Sunday, November 23 2008, 8:19PM
“How did we jump from pub closures in Torquay to worldwide conspiracy theories?
I know it wont be accepted by some, but the Bilderburg Group - which got its name from the Dutch hotel where it first met in 1954 - is a legitimate entity whose members consist of approximately 100 influential European and American figures in politics, business and academia. They meet annually to discuss and give advice on political, diplomatic and economic policies.
To quote Denis Healy, a Bilderberg founder and former Chancellor of the Exchequer, "We never sought to reach a consensus on the big issues at Bilderberg. It's simply a place for discussion."
For a supposedly secret all-powerful force for world domination, they don't seem to be doing a very good job of being secret or dominating anything. Blaming communists - and I wasn't aware that there were any Marxists left - or secret societies for pub closures is a bit of a fantasy too far.”
by Justin, Cornwall
Sunday, November 23 2008, 3:54PM
“Brin,so you want to understand what's truly going on in are world and why we as a society are going to suffer even more in the future. There's a reason why we are losing are identities as a culture/people and it's got nothing to do with the EU or Central Government....these are just the system's set-up as the control grid.....to get their way with us. The Bilderberg Group are the people responsible for the state of are economies and the loss of are community life. The only way Brin your going to understand this is 1.) Read a book about this secertive eite group of operator's. The True Story Of The Bilderberg Group by Daniel Elustlin which you can by at Amazon or
Go to infowars.com and find out why these things are happening to us........you need to know. All The Best.”
by Brin Jenkins, Truro
Sunday, November 23 2008, 11:35AM
“Unless people realise that Comunism is about our total destruction as a society nothing can change.
Farming, mining, fishing, industry, and faith. Now the desruction of pubs because that is where firment might begin.
We continue electing Comunists who are well on the path. Read the manifesto of Karl Marx and understand.
Yes I am on the list.”
by chas, Little Britain
Sunday, November 23 2008, 11:21AM
“Bill said: 'On Sunday's you would get pickles,cheese and crackers on the bar. Before I left England the snacks were gone'.
Like the smoking ban, it was banned on stupid H&S laws.”