Sir, – Rob Sadlier (September 26th) is right in his assertion that to survive in the market place, the pub needs to diversify. Here in the UK we have the bizarre situation of seeing the number of pubs closing, whilst the actual number of outlets that actually serve intoxicants is now at its highest since records began.
The writing is on the wall for the local. Interestingly, what we do see is that the very measures the licensing trade are introducing to invigorate their industry are the very steps which are turning the regular punters away. Many have to serve meals and undertake tacky promotions such as “happy hour” and “two for the price of one”. Pubs can be intimidating places, particularly for those of us of a certain age. Catching the eye of a malevolent youth or bumping into a belligerent drunk can prove risky. And of course there is the drink/drive legislation, the smoking ban and the medical profession frightening the life out of us with their hysterical warnings on the danger of drink.These factors are no friends of the pub landlord.
The most compelling reason contributing to the demise of the pub is the prices. Only this week, a writer to this newspaper (Declan Service, September 25th) complained that he was charged €6.85 for a pint of lager in Temple Bar. Absolutely crazy. Here on this side of the Irish Sea, £6 would get you a fair to middling bottle of wine from the corner shop. Such a sum won’t get you much in the Rose and Crown.
Sadly the local tavern as depicted by George Orwell in his essay “The Moon Under Water” is no more. For him, barmaids should know your name, darts should be played only in the public bar, the premises should be quiet enough to allow one to talk and under no circumstances should it have a radio or piano. Halcyon days indeed. – Yours, etc,
FRANK GREANEY,
Lonsdale Road,
Formby, Liverpool.