I'm happy pubs are dying out

I think the problem is no matter now nice the area is, "traditional" pubs and working men's clubs are the kind of places that are not frequented by the wealthy and upmarket people.

I get there are nice pubs in some villages, but I'm not talking about Cotswolds here. I lived in the Midlands so a bit more realistic ))

I don’t own a pub, I worked in a few when I was a student but now I’m just a customer. I see the important role they can play in a community and understand the contribution they make to the labour market.

What I object to is people advocating for the decline of an entire sector because they personally don’t like it or want to use it. It’s selfish and shortsighted. There are plenty of things in society that I don’t enjoy or use but I’m not selfish or self centred enough to think everyone feels the same.

If you don’t want drink in a pub or just a certain type of pub then don’t. But look further than the end of your own nose and realise that not all pubs are as you describe.

The reason the hospitality sector is struggling is multi faceted and it’s not because people dislike pubs all of a sudden. Speak to any landlord and they’ll tell you that it’s unfavourable government policy (NI rises, taxes etc) and the increase in the cost of living (utilities, food etc) that’s having the biggest impact. Any decline in custom is generally due to cost not because people no longer want to go to the pub.
Pubs have never had more appeal to wider groups of people. They’re no longer the domain of men, they’re community hubs, local eateries, entertainment venues…but the CoL crisis is the biggest issue.

I’m interested in the purpose of this thread. Pubs (and the associated drinking) are an integral part of British culture. I’m not sure why anyone would be championing the decline of a British cultural institution

I do get it, don't I. No one is taking your pub away, just make sure its not only old biddies and middle aged men who are interested in going there regularly. It wont survive if its only has custom at weekends and is empty the rest of the week.

There are several very modern pubs near me that are full and thriving. But they serve a variety of drinks, often great food as well, they have a large number of local craft beers, they are very pretty, and always full of people from all walks of life - mainly young people and families. And there is one pub that is very "traditional" - no kids allowed, no "fancy" drinks, no food, no "outsiders" are made to feel welcome, its grim inside, very low effort. It has its regulars and still has custom, but I cant see it surviving long. Sad but true.

Are you always this negative? Pubs have their place, especially in our village where it is a real community hub, but you don't get it do you?

The cost of living crisis. HTH.

I agree you must live in a really rough area. Because I absolutely do not recognise your description at all.

Unfortunately the 'spoons' reputation for encouraging down and out pissheads spreads to other pubs. Traditional pubs struggle to keep going without becoming 'foodie' and good landlords are hard to find. Our local shut after issues over the lease renewal, the cost was unrealistic. It was a cosy, traditional pub that did some nice food but wasn't a restaurant.

I get you are pro-traditional pubs, maybe even an owner.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I think pubs are boring, smelly and they had their day. You think they are super amazing and I should stay away, which I do - but so as hundreds of others - that's why pubs are failing and closing. So maybe get off your high defensive horse and think why that is?

Same here - we lost one pub, the others are really important for our community and would make our village a sadder more isolating place.

IPA is a different kind of ale. Not your flat boring Marstons Pedigree

of course prosecco is boring... )))

Most definitely not in our village pub 😁 Our landlord knows better

Maybe you just live in a shit hole? None of my locals are anything like this.

What a weird and sad post ?

I love pubs. Nothing nicer than sitting in a snug and having a glass of wine...even on my own when I'm in the city centre and need a break (only do it now and then). Pubs are underrated and I'm sad to see them go.

I feel a fish and chip challenge
I'll raise you with our local pub's fish and chips made with the lightest, crispiest beer batter. They only do fish and chips on Thursdays and Fridays with fresh fish delivered from Grimsby.

I have never tasted better fish and chips anywhere else.

piss beer = ale is boring, where is IPA or prosecco??

IPA is ale, and prosecco is the most boring drink known to humankind.

I’ve put as unreasonable.
some of these ‘retired old boys’ have no family or friends and their only contact outside their house is the local pub otherwise it will be likely they don’t leave their house in some cases

Never had any round my area either and we have 25 pubs across the town,so you'd think there would have been. We've had Comedy shows, band nights, local musicians, wreath making workshops, craft fairs, family fun days. Very rarely have trouble either.

What pub doesn't serve any other beers than ale?! (And ale's certainly less boring than prosecco anyway!)

Where on earth do you live?The pubs around me are lovely and serve delicious food.
You sound like you are describing victorian pubs!!!
Dont go if you dont like them.
You sound a bit of a kill joy.

Never had any round my way, I'm in in the vicinity of 4 rural pubs in the South Downs national park and not ONE of them has ever had a drag act, it would probably go down like a lead balloon.

When the local pubs closed during COVID the old boys had nowhere to congregate during the day, to read over the horses and wind each other up. They stayed in their individual homes instead, lonely, and isolated. One of them died and no one found him for days, because he didn’t have any family locally. His family were the day drinkers in the pub he frequented.

YABU.

You are quite wrong

Pubs dying out is not going to save the NHS one penny- human beings are perfectly capable of finding behaviours and vices to replace pubs.
Chain pubs can have a less than conducive atmosphere- but I don't really understand your bitterness towards them- no one is forcing you to use them, and there are plenty of very bad landlords who don't own pubs.