I'm going to attempt a slightly more serious blog, although don't panic the grammar will not improve.
Just a mild rant really. Anyway here goes.
Because governments are morons wether they are red or blue I doubt the escalator and tax issues are going to change anytime soon. Neither will the smoking ban. Not that I think that would help pubs a great deal either. What needs to change is the pubs themselves. Just getting a new slightly friendlier landlord in will do no more than delay the inevitable. As a London based pubber I can see this happening and working. Not all pubs are dark wood with two or three ales and a crappy menu. Yes a large percentage are and they seem to be the pubs suffering the most to me. When I do drink outside of the capital most pubs are bad red carpet two or three ales sky tv and a pool table or dart board. The majority seem to fulfill these stereotypes. I love these pubs but I also want more and judging by the rate pubs are closing England wants more choice. Pub companies seem to be the last people to notice this. I have recently seen new pubs from some of the big chains that show an effort is being made but had I not spotted them on peoples blogs I would have had no idea. But why did it take so long. Not everyone is like me and will try any pub they walk past. The town I am from is I think a typical English town. Plenty of pubs all essentially the same and a couple of late night bar places which are all the same. For a night out you have two options. Bar or Pub. If I had a family or was cool and hip neither would be an option. Most of these pubs are struggling despite the relatively large captive audience. Try something new or people will just sit in watching the fecking voice and shit like that. Easy for me to say as I don't have to pay for it. Chains are the worst at this and seem intent on making the majority of their pubs identical. Thats what starbucks do, a company with zero soul(my opinion please don't sue me). Pubs have history, and stories to tell let the pubs tell them and not just with crappy fake photos. If the big companies have any cash its time to put your balls on the line and save the pub. Big companies do a lot to promote their beers but not enough to promote pubs where they should be drunk. And not all new pubs need to open in old pubs, some of the nicest I have visited are just cool buildings. One thing that does annoy me is fake chalk boards. I hate them. I see one and immediately think the place has less heart or a lazy owner. Oh great we are in a place doing something the same as the other pub. Who wants to sit in a soulless pub. Thats part of what a pub should provide. That and a good drink be it alcoholic or not. Lots of pubs play music but believe or not, not everyone wants to hear pop or indy. Try something unique and you will have a chance especially in a city. In the towns try and place yourself to your market, not something I have witnessed occurring often. I realise a pub in london can do what it likes and someone will be interested. But if you keep the same tired appearance and feel the pub will die out and the world will be a much poorer place for future generations. Not all pubs need to change as we need variety. But now its not just a place for working classes. Even posh people want to go out and talk bollocks.
Essentially what I'm saying is the British people want more pub choice especially as (due to factors outside of the pubs control) its becoming an expensive night out.
Quiz night and curry night is not always the answer, try something original.
Please, I don't want pubs to keep shutting.
Take a risk brave pub owners of Britain. Or give me a large pile of cash and i'll do it for you.
I apologise for not fully thinking out this brief semi rant but I'm at work and should probably get on with doing some. It will be a while before I attempt another proper blog.
