Does anyone know if there's an article anywhere describing the decline in the quantity of traditional English pubs during the past 10 years or so? (Traditional being a non chain pub with a private landlord and perhaps the traditional public bar/lounge bar configuration).
I'm struck by how dramatically the big chain pubs - like Wetherspoons - have altered the atmosphere and culture of the English pub in relation not just to ambience but also in terms of a generally but not always crap quality of service.
At first I thought that, in terms of buying power and emphasis on stocking good label beer, companies like Wetherspoons would be a good thing at least in comparison to the behaviour of old brewery chains like Whitbread. But the service really is bloody terrible and I wonder if the new chain pubs even have the experience to keep the beer and prepare the food as it should be.
I was trying to find a traditional English pub to show a friend from overseas and I actually couldn't find one in my home town. When I did find one the amazing thing was that the lack of flash interior was easily made up for by the friendly service and nicely kept beer (although the selection wasn't great).
My other experience was trying to find a pub that accepts dogs - there are now very, very few. The thing that struck me was that even 10 years ago this wasn't a problem. I don't think it's just about food service either.
Things have changed so dramatically that I wonder if there's been any respectable - possibly even academic - debate on the issue in print. I can't find any and I have looked.
Stupidly on Thursday night I went to my local Wetherspoons for some food and drink. 25 minutes waiting to be served in no particular order resulted in crappy beer, cold food and witness to an anti-social piss head trying to throw a punch at a doorman. The pratt had been "brewing" for quite a while (I could see it) but he continued to be served by bar staff who either didn't have skill to spot the potential problem or the confidence to refuse him.
I don't enjoy going to pubs anymore and I think it's less about how I've changed (I don't think I have) and more about how pubs have changed. It's actually quite sad.
Gareth.