Pubs destroyed by Tories

Isn't it more to do with changing behaviours than government?

50 years ago most working men went to the pub frequently. These days most of us go once in a while. I probably go once a week.
 
I’m no fan of the tories but the smoking ban was the start of the decline in pubs alongside expensive brewery agreements and tax rises. Covid was the final nail for many. Those that survived are now struggling to heat the things and that’s a global issue.
 
I moved to Exeter in 1999, and several pubs went before 2010.Good community pubs, it could be that the trend is worse under the Tories but either way it's not something pubs have been helped with under any political party.
 
2 of my locals when i was younger The Acklam and the Newport club closed under a Labour government to. Plenty to have a go at the Tories with without this pointless thread. 🤡
 
2 of my locals when i was younger The Acklam and the Newport club closed under a Labour government to. Plenty to have a go at the Tories with without this pointless thread. 🤡
The law changes which lead to the closures were the problem, for instance pub companies destroying local pubs, turning community boozers into one room karaoke houses when the breweries had to get rid of their pubs. The changes took a while to take effect
 
don't think the smoking ban did that, in fact it had a positive effect with the non-smokers, plus it kept the smokers alive longer so they could keep going.
I am not so sure about that mart. No numbers to back that up but seems anecdotally wrong. Pubs had to change their models and there weren't enough chefs around to go gastro pub. Also in lots of areas there was probably no interest in that model from customers.
 
I went to pubs a lot more after the smoking ban. Hated having clothes stink of smoke.

People drink a wider range of alcohol these days and what they do drink can be far cheaper to buy at a supermarket than down your local boozer where it's £5 for a shot and mixer, or double up for an extra quid. But different to everyone drinking just spirits, pints or soft drinks.

Where we used to go to the pub before a night out, as will now have people over or go to a local cocktail bar. If I'm just going to have a few pints of cider or some spirits with mates I'd rather choose the music, have better bogs and not be paying a fiver for a rekordelig.

Likewise I always remember going out on New Year's Eve being a big thing and going to the empire to get our tickets in advance. Much less a done thing now when I've been in town last few years, most people seem to just do the whole house party thing for that as well
 
There are loads of things that have caused a decline.
> People drink less than they used to
> The change in licensing laws allowing places to stay open later so people don't go to pubs, they go to bars and they go out and start the night later
> Smoking ban
> Women working so more need for sharing home/parental responsibilities
> Drinking at home is cheaper
> People go out for food more so more restaurants means more competition
> Drink drive laws have been correctly tightened so you can't have a few after/during work and drive home
> People socialise less because we can communicate virtually

There aren't as many pubs now but it would be interesting to see a comparison of the number of places you can get a drink because every restaurant has a bar, hotels have a bar, every leisure activity has a bar etc
 
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