Smoking ban and cheap tinnies put pubs in peril

NEARLY half of publicans believe their boozer may not be in business next year — according to a poll by the Liberal Democrats.

The survey, conducted in Oldham, found 44 per cent of respondents feared their business would not be operational this time next year.

Elwyn Watkins, parliamentary spokesman for Oldham East and Saddleworth, said: “Their biggest concerns were the low price of alcohol in the supermarket and the impact of the smoking ban as well as high brewery and supplier costs.

“Pubs are the unofficial community centres for many people. They can actually help combat binge drinking and can promote responsible behaviour.

“It is a pity to see many highly experienced and responsible landlords going to the wall.

“Unfortunately, with such low prices in supermarkets and the recession biting hard, many people are drinking — and smoking — at home. If the Government had wanted to find a way to deliberately close down pubs then they couldn’t have done a better job.

“If this trend continues we will all miss one of the traditional parts of English life.”

An estimated six pubs a day are closing nationally, with as many as 75,000 jobs under threat. This follows a recent announcement that 16 pubs have already closed across Oldham.