Desperate for a drink

WE need you: Angel Inn landlord Marty Jones is worried about the number of closures

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.