Your Gloucester pubs need you!
Landlords across Gloucester have joined forces in a new battle to save the city's watering holes.
With more pubs calling time on trading people are today being urged to support their local.
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Landlords have been out on the streets in the city and Cheltenham encouraging people to raise a glass to bolster business.
There could even be a £1,000 cash prize for one lucky drinker.
Keith Reynolds, chairman of the Gloucester Licensed Victuallers Association said: "The pubs need help at the moment as there will be big price hikes and extra duty this year, which is crippling the industry.
"Brewers put price increases on every year and the poor publican has to meet them. They don't want to put them on to customers but they have to cover their costs.
"It is tough in the pub business at the moment and we want to encourage people to come here and promote what is in Gloucester so we have launched this campaign."
It is estimated that 56 pubs across the country are closing every day.
Increases in duty have hit the trade and VAT increases due in January could bring more threats to an already declining industry.
Mr Reynolds said they have been handing out thousands of leaflets and all they want is for people to fill them in before handing them in to a participating pub.
Mary and Keith Bryon who have run the Kingsholm Inn for more than 11 years said help was needed in the city especially after seeing a number of pubs close including Crackers nightclub, the Musket Inn in Matson, the Robin Hood Pub in Bristol Road and The Welsh Harp in London Road.
Mrs Bryon, 49, said: "It has been very difficult for the last couple of months and this is the worst we have seen.
"It is even worse than the smoking ban because we could prepare for that by getting a smoking shelter. But this is worse.
"We have had quite a few people coming in already with the leaflets and it has been busier during the Christmas period but we really hope more people will come in, in the New Year."
Coun Paul James, lead of the city council, welcomed the new campaign.
He said: "It is important to support our pubs as they are finding it more difficult lately and they are an important part of community life."
23 Comments
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by Chris W, Blackpool
Tuesday, December 29 2009, 10:33PM
“I agree Helen ,theres no way I will pay excessive prices to be stuck in a cow shed to drink because I want to Smoke with it ?invite me into a nice cosy warm room to have them together in a respectable civilised manner not being made to feel an outcast and I will consider it ?”
by chas, Bully State
Tuesday, December 29 2009, 9:27PM
“Smoking and drinking have always gone together in the good old British pubs. Until publicans fight to get smokers back inside there will be many more closures.”
by tug, england
Tuesday, December 29 2009, 4:51PM
“With comments like "even worse than the Smoking ban",there has been nothing worse than the smoking ban in our history,if they want to protect their business they will need to get the smokers back into the Pubs, time for them to get onto their MPs and Demand a reform to the smoking ban to allow All people choice, smoker and non smoker alike,it is as simple as that.”
by marley, naziengland
Tuesday, December 29 2009, 10:26AM
“Where there smoke, there is customers.”
by db, lincs
Tuesday, December 29 2009, 9:42AM
“They need to open their eyes - The big elephant in the room is no substitute for the traditional smoking clientèle. Love it or loathe it, the smoking ban is, without any doubt, the principle cause of 50 pub closures per week.”
by sheila, uk
Tuesday, December 29 2009, 7:55AM
“When the landlords start lobbying their M.P.s about amending the smoking ban, I might start supporting them. There,s no great mystery about why the pub,s are empty.”
by R-TRUTH, GLOS
Monday, December 28 2009, 9:57PM
“here are the options, go to a town pub, pay £2.50 plus for a pint, have to then keep an eye on the chavy bloke in the corner giving you the eye because he has been in the pub/drunk for last few weeks.
Or
Invite some friends over, get in some drink from the supermarkets at 50p a pint, play music you want, watch football in comfy seat.
What would you plus most the population choose?”
by Elsie, GLOS
Monday, December 28 2009, 8:33PM
“Pubs are doomed. Sadly, society has moved on quite significantly and I really cannot see a way back for them. 3 cases of lager or beer for £20 or 3 bottles of wine for £10- the math does not stack up for pubs. Technology (Facebook, computers, mobile phones, games consoles) has fragmented society and put the current generation who would have been in the pubs, safely tucked up in bed 'chatting on line' or playing computer games with friends and a drink or two. Sorry, but there is no magic formula to save our pubs except the 'destination' pubs that specialise in food, carvery etc. Very sad and just one more British tradition we will lose soon for ever.”
by Adam, Cheltenham
Monday, December 28 2009, 7:43PM
“Yet Wetherspoons is expanding. Me thinks that there is a successful business model, even in these difficult times.”
by Chris, Gloucester
Monday, December 28 2009, 5:57PM
“Tell you what.
Put a segregated smoking bar in every pub, reduce the tax so beer isn't a stupid price and you might see a few more people in pubs.
Until some sense prevails the pub is doomed.”