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Desperate for a drink
Reporter: LEWIS JONES
Date online: 27 January 2012
Come out and show us your support, pubs plea
WORRIED landlords are appealing for a surge in local trade after shocking new figures revealed 100 pubs have been lost in Oldham over the last two decades.
Some 251 establsihments now remain across the borough, according to the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
And statistics from the House of Commons library show the turnover in landlords and tenants running at more than one a week — or 470 “closures” from 2002 to 2010. The figures, entitled “death of enterprises”, take into account business closures where pubs may have later reopened.
Marty Jones, landlord at the Angel Inn, Shaw Road, has seen a change since he first stepped behind the bar a decade ago.
He said: “Everyone is worried about their jobs and money is tight for everyone now. The pub itself is a cracker. If it were ever to close it wouldn’t just mean losing my job — it would kill the community. But we’re still here and still determined.
“Selling beer isn’t the problem, it’s getting people through the doors.”
While not laying the blame squarely with one sector, he says outlets such as working men’s clubs are getting unfair advantages while supermarkets are adding to the problem.
He admits to closing the pub for two nights during a recent quiet spell as the December spending splurge caught up with drinkers.
The figures have prompted industry insiders to speak out in a bid to save Britain’s pubs.
Mike Robinson, members’ secretary for the Oldham branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), described pubs as “the backbone of Britain.”
Mike said: “It’s a big number of pubs lost and shows the pub industry is turbulent.
“Pubs generally need help from the Government but business rates are very expensive, beer tax is being increased, supermarkets are selling alcohol at less than cost — the traditional pub is being undermined by the Government.
“It’s very sad, pubs are the backbone of Britain and communities need that social meeting place.”
He also said breweries should loosen their grip on control of licensees and allow them to thrive by choosing the products they sell.
Pubs that have had time called recently include The Shambles in Dobcross, which has since been turned into a house, The Jubilee and The Park Inn, Shaw, and the Golden Fleece in Denshaw, which the brewery is now selling off.
New figures show that 16 pubs are closing nationally each week, with more than half in the suburbs.
The Institute for Public Policy Research think tank said pubs improving community life should be offered a 50 per cent business rate relief to help them survive.
To qualify to have half of their business rates back, pubs would have to show how they serve local communities by offering such benefits as job opportunities or free space for charities.
This is something that local landlords think could go towards securing a healthy future in Oldham.
Gail Pomfrey, landlady at The Pineapple, in Shaw, said: “I’ve been here for 13 years and I’m doing quite well but I know a lot of other pubs are suffering.
“Things have changed, people drink more at home now even if they’re coming out to the pub later.
“I’ve seen a lot of pubs close and I think more will go, but this is my livelihood and I’m determined to make it work.”
Communities Minister Bob Neill has assured local businesses that decisive action is being taken to support community pubs.
He said the Government has abolished the cider tax, is cutting red tape on live music in pubs and stopping unfair sales of alcohol below cost-price by supermarkets.
He said councils are also being given new powers to introduce local business-rate discounts which could go towards supporting pubs.
But it may be little consolation for landlords with the recent announcement from the British Beer & Pub Association that 140 million fewer pints of beer were sold in pubs last year.
Comments
why is it the finger is always pointed at beer tax and supermarkets for these pubs that struggle?
utter rubbish.
most pubs are now brewery owned. the landlords and ladies mearly rent the pubs they run. they also have to buy the beer from those breweries at fixed prices and not discounted prices.
its the breweries greed that is destroying pubs. most free houses are still coping as they can negotiate prices to get the best deal. then pass on the savings to the customers.
Would love to pop out to the pub more often, but the pesky kids want feeding and on top of that the utility companies, council and building society keep wantig me to pay my bills.
The pubcos & a Labour government only too willing to let the supermarkets run riot are at the root of this. Price of a pint relative to what it costs in a supermarket.From the top of George St via High St & Yorkshire St and the whole length of Union St from the Star Inn to Rhodes Bank was once a fabulous night out in Oldham.No more. Haven't been in a pub in 15 years.
I used to love going to my local for a drink and to socialise and I loved the company. I think the smoking ban has killed off pubs - I never understood why they didn't let landlords have smoking rooms, would have been much better than a total ban. Also, the price of a drink now is ridiculous (not the landlords' fault) and so more and more people choose to drink at home where they can choose to enjoy a smoke if they wish. I for one really miss the company but can't afford to go out anymore.
Draconian smoking ban is responsible for this
there should be a choice smoking rooms in pubs should be allowed in Spain they turn a blind eye to this ban..I agree with the smoking ban in cafe's etc but hey go in spindles no smoke but the smell of burning popcorn?,, outside the up steps I can breathe all the diesel fumes I want to off the burger van its fast become a dictatorship in the uk time for our Arab spring
People do need community and although it is sad to see the decline in people using pubs.but i have found that Going to and getting involved in Church to be be a great community to be involved in give it a try.I prefer a rockin lively community church but some drink larger some drink bitter. you choose but try
I do wish people would stop spouting this erroneous idea that the smoking ban has had anything other than a negligible impact upon the pub trade.
@shaun mcgrath I'd say the smoking ban was far higher than a negligible effect.It certainly helped hasten the decline given that a ciggy & a pint go hand in hand for many pub regulars.
Its all about PRICE, I enjoy drinking. I enjoy drinking in pubs. I DONT enjoy £2.30+ a pint!!
I know brew my own.. the end product is comparable, i can listen to what I want on the stereo, i can have mates round who can smoke if they wish and the total cost to me is around 30p/pint! if pubs dropped their prices 25% then going to the pub would be a better idea!
Fedupoldhamer - not being an expert in this field and I stand to be corrected but the problem lies with pub chains who don't have brewing facilities. A number of breweries such as Robinsons, Lees etc. still employ managers and own their pubs. Companies such as Punch are ones who charge sky high rents, buy beer from the breweries and sell on to their tenants with a massive mark-up.
Smokers have only themselves to blame for the smoking ban! Why can't we have a room set aside for smokers? Because in their arrogance smokers would no stay in it, they thought that they should not be confined to one room but should be free to wander & smoke where ever they pleased. A smoking ban had to be brought in because of the attitude of smokers.
People no longer have the disposable income, and relative prices have risen, Pubcos have destroyed many pubs high rents & high prices.
@mikejh45. All breweries that have real estate have a mix of tenanted and manged houses - even Lees and Robinsons.
The problem is one of pure greed on the part of both the breweries at production level and also the breweries and PubCo's at estate level.
People that brew beer should not be allowed to own pubs - for rent or tenancy. People that own pubs should not be allowed to own more than a small amount (10-20) and should not be allowed to tie tenants into beer contracts.
@shaun & Flake, the smoking ban had an almost instant effect on th pub trade reducing footfall dramatically and it has never returned.
The obvious answer is to allow smoking at the licensees discretion in premises that do not ever - not even for weddings, funerals or darts nights etc - serve food, noty even sarnies or pies, just crisps and nuts. Whereas pubs that serve food - even if only for a few hours a day - would have to remain smoker free.
That I would suggest would satisfy everyo
Once again FLAKE talking through her backside. I bet an ex smoker. The smoking ban WAS a blow to the pubs, now smokers litter the streets with fag dimps outside the pubs that are open. Smokers are confined to hornings or nothing outside in the rain and cold. A separate room would have saved some pubs.
Have Your Say
My friends and I are happy to support this appeal. Please advise which establishment we should use where we can smoke whilst enjoying our pints as we can at home.
By 2303 @ 27/01/2012 16:15:19