Mitcham holocaust

Hmm ... perhaps you'd like to view this as a little less than a 'holocaust', although I do agree you have a serious situation.

E.

In message , Offramp wrote

They are only shutting because no-one wants to drink in them.

While a lot of pubs are closing many those that have always given the customer good service are thriving. Potential customers are no longer willing to drink mediocre beer sold expensively in mediocre pubs, especially when the _same_ beer brands can be obtained at supermarkets for around a quarter to a third of the price.

Absolutely. And while alcohol can be sold in supermarkets at less than cost price, and pubco tenants are forced to buy beer from their lords and masters for way in excess of the general wholesale price (sometimes an extra £20 on a firkin) this sad situation will continue.

Look at CAMRA's Beer Drinkers and Pub Goers Charter (sic)

There are of course exceptions to the 'wicked pubco' argument. Probably the best known of these is Wetherspons which just goes to show you don't need to fleece your customers to be profitable. Incidentaly, Tim Martin puts yet another reason for pub closures in the latest Wetherspoons news; and I think he's right.

But as Alan says, unless you have well trained, enthusiastic and knowledgable managers, owners and staff, who know how to sell quality beer, no amount of political intervention is going to help, and pubs will continue to close.

In message , M Platting