“There is talk in the eu of banning smoking from outdoor areas such as pub gardens outside office buildings and even events like last months glastonbury festival SOURCE freedom2choose.info or smokingbanstinks.co.uk”

“i THINK ITS TOO EASY TO BLAME THE SMOKING BAN FOR THE DECLINE IN PUB TRADE.I PERSONALLY AM ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO ONLY ENJOY A CIGARETTE WITH A GLASS OF BEER. I DON'T FIND IT A HARDSHIP TO STAND OUTSIDE FOR A SMOKE ; INDEED I APPLAUD IT AND SEE THE REASONING.JUST BECAUSE I SMOKE DOESN'T MEAN THAT OTHERS HAVE TO AS WELL.I AGREE ITS PROBABLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT PEOPLE ARE BUYING ALCHOHOL FROM SUPERMARKETS ETC BECAUSE THE PRICE IS MORE ATTRACTIVE.”

“Why is it only whingeing smokers who blame the smoking "ban" for the decline in the pub trade ( say "ban" in inverted comma's as it is not actually banned, simply you cannot smoke indoors, only ban is more emotive isn't it).
No serious study would blame the smoking thing, the simple fact is that like any business that does not sell the products people want at a price they are prepared to pay and in an atmosphere they will endure then they will lose trade and close.
Beer in pubs is about 6 times the price of petrol which is a darned sight harder to make considering where the raw materials come from. That's why they are closing and no other reason.”

“Pubs!!
Once the hub of social Life and family.
Now taxed out..
Greedy Brewers...
Greedy Landlords...
Greedy Tennents...
Ah!! The credit crunch...
Ah!! can,t smoke in the pub....
And whos to blame???
Well its my dad and yours,they voted for these things,"EU,ECC ect...
Can you still Blech in a pub???...”

“Pubs just aren't innovating. They used to be (for some) the hub of our social lives. Many a deal has been closed, a friendship made, a relationship born. These things have moved a little out of the real world into digital. Pubs can have that back-- provide WiFi everywhere, launch networks, be the noticeboard, and then add the beer back and the friendly smile.

Oh yes, the smile... that's so lacking in many of Nhams pubs. I'm not going to pay £3 or more for a pint if it's not an enjoyable welcoming experience. Look at what the movie industry is doing... we can download films now so cinemas had to make the environment better, bigger, more exciting, add bars, cafes, amazing sound--- and couple it with viral campaigns that make you want to see a film before it hits DVD or iTunes. Pubs should do the same, be a part of the social world, support our digital world, provide a bigger, better, more comfy, more amazing place to be than at home with the beer that cools itself and tastes just as good out of my fridge.

Come on, be part of an entrepreneurial business world, you'll fail if you don't.”

“As long as I can remember the overwhelming majority of people using my local smoked,now to accomodate the few non smokers we smoke outside,I resent Anthonys comment about non smokers who wish to enjoy their pint outside in the rain,come on give us smokers a break!.I suspect you or the other non smokers drive polluting my air so dont be a hypocrite!
Now thats off my chest why are pubs closing?
In todays economy I think the pub trade is very cut throat,A young inexperianced publican has a much reduced life span,
Credit is very difficult to obtain,
A substantial investment is required for start up,relying on locals to use the pub is no longer an option for a publican who wishes to make their pub a profit.so location of the pub is crucial!Many traditional pubs cannot compete with supermarkets who can supply alcohol at a much reduced price.This for me is one of the main reasons for the decline in pubs,smoking bans may have convinced people that its more comfortable to smoke at home.”

“How a Pub Landlord Beat The Recession and his pub is Thriving.

The original £1 food-menu pub," says a sign outside the Four Crosses Inn near Cannock, Staffordshire. ... "This pub would have gone to the wall without the cheap meals,"

"At first it was one day a week, but it filled the place up so we went up to two, then five, and now seven days a week," said Mr Rabbits, the landlord. "We'd been struggling to pay the bills and would have had to close, but we refused to be beaten."

From serving about 30 lunches a day, Rabbitts is now doing more than 300 at busy times, and BAR TAKINGS HAVE INCREASED FOURFOLD.

"We've got regulars who come back every day. Some people come seven days a week. One woman was having her kitchen refitted and hasn't bothered having her cooker put in yet."

Minibuses full of pensioners have started coming from Wolverhampton for lunch and a day out. There is a roaring fire, the restaurant area is filling up with New Year's Day diners by 12.30, and, annoyingly, today, the minced beef and onion pie has already run out.

The starters and desserts are all £1; the basic main courses are also £1, but there is a "homemade" option for £1.50 and a roast for £2.50., a regular diner, calls the final option "going large".”

“More pubs closing, good.

Now if we can just get rid of half the kebab shops we might get somewhere...”

“oh yeah, from a big shop in abbeydale hic.......”

“i have just bought 20 660ml bottles of stella a pound each , a pub sells 568 ml =a pint for nearly £3 work it out cheerz..”