[Boiler]

Discussion of this on Facebook identified the core of pub-goers as middle aged men trying to get away from their families. That wasn't from a piss-taking conversation, but one that was, as far as I can tell, genuinely interested in why pubs are going under.

Running costs and wages are part of it, but bigger factors were prices and convenience. Why go to a pub for 'the big game' when you can watch it at home, set up a discord channel with your mates to discuss it, have the soundtrack of your choice, smoke if you want to, and not pay £6.00 a pint?

A former colleague of mine used to frequent a pub in the Yorkshire village he lives in. It recently changed hands and for whatever reason, he popped in for a pint. When the couple on the table adjacent used their table to change their child's nappy - with nary a word said by the publican - that's when he decided to leave.

With surroundings like that and how you can go to the local deli - or even the Co-op - and get 500ml bottles of locally-brewed beers (e.g. Grainstore, Oakham Ales) for less than half the cost of a pint in a pub such as described above, why wouldn't you?

I far prefer micro-pubs anyway.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Discussion of this on Facebook identified the core of pub-goers as middle aged men trying to get away from their families. That wasn't from a piss-taking conversation, but one that was, as far as I can tell, genuinely interested in why pubs are going under.

Exactly, pubs were a very masculine thing traditionally. Even in London, it took till the "yuppie" era for (some) pubs to take women semi-seriously, with the likes of All Bar One making an effort with wine.

You can't really pull the old "just have a few on the way home, after the day I've had!" when your wife has been out at work too, and probably had no better a day than you.

[davidjay]

Reading the CAMRA pages on Facebook is like the Mail with a bit less racism. There are many reasons why pubs are declining but according to the self-proclaimed saviours of the industry they were all thriving before July of last year.

[Youngian]

Exactly, pubs were a very masculine thing traditionally. Even in London, it took till the "yuppie" era for (some) pubs to take women semi-seriously, with the likes of All Bar One making an effort with wine.

You can't really pull the old "just have a few on the way home, after the day I've had!" when your wife has been out at work too, and probably had no better a day than you.

Coffee shops are the high street outliers doing well but too many people still have Chinese walls in their heads. A local near me serves excellent coffee and cakes in the daytime to diversify and its unquestionably a more comfy establishment then the near by Costa and Greggs which are full. This pub is nearly always empty by contrast.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Reading the CAMRA pages on Facebook is like the Mail with a bit less racism. There are many reasons why pubs are declining but according to the self-proclaimed saviours of the industry they were all thriving before July of last year.

I once read a CAMRA opinion piece, someone getting the hump over plastic glasses in town centers. The world consisted of people like them appreciating their pints and others getting shitfaced on crap beer and glassing people. Pubs where people like them went were to be exempted from what most people would think was a sensible policy.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Mandelson accuses European leaders of ‘histrionic’ reaction to Trump’s Greenland stance
Article by former British ambassador to US is likely to be seen as criticism of Keir Starmer

Just fuck off. The only thing this can do is hurt Starmer for giving you that job, which he rightly sacked you from. Nobody in Europe or anywhere else is lapping up your "wisdom".