Death of the English Pub

It’s amazing how much pubs have changed in my lifetime. They used to be very utilitarian and basic places where men went to talk about life, the universe and whippets. Comfort and atmosphere were not an issue and women were rarely seen except for behind the bar. Then the women started to arrive and the pub improved in many ways, furnishings got better, the decor improved (in that there WAS decor) and a wider range of drinks were offered. Pubs became very popular places and were often focal points of a community. However, this popularity meant that pubs were now profitable and big money moved in – meaning bigger breweries and the search for profit led to keg beers and the start of the end.

A fine pint

The real ale backlash set up by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and the upsurge in small, independent breweries was very effective and a middle ground appeared. There were some fine pubs that served decent, traditional beers and others that served nothing but the easier to keep and look after chemical keg brews. In these establishments, blandness reigned supreme, but their popularity was a unique example of the power of advertising. The success of CAMRA can be seen in the number of formerly keg-only pubs that now have some real beers on offer.

But it’s not all about beer. Pubs used to be social places where people could go for a quiet drink, to relax and chat with friends, and strangers – social interaction. Nowadays, most pubs seem to be designed to prevent social interaction – loud music plays, games machines belch out dissonant beeps and daft noises, and TV’s serve up mind numbing junk. Also, there are many pubs that totally rely on food sales to keep going. It’s hard to tell when you enter whether it’s a restaurant or a pub.

At the moment, many pubs are closing every week. People just don’t seem to be going to the pub like they used to. Why is this? Is it because they have gone out of fashion , because people can’t afford it, or is it because of all the reasons above? Who can say? Can it have anything to do with the fact that most pubs in this country are owned by two huge conglomerates who own, but do not run them? They charge landlords exorbitant rents and often force them into buying their drinks from their preferred suppliers – often at the most expensive prices. Who would be a pub landlord these days? It would be good to see these companies disappear and have more pubs independently owned and run, as they once were.

Cheers!