In message , "Dave Plowman (News)"
writes

pubs

The decline started long before the smoking ban, continued when there were
no smoking areas, and onwards when it was banned completely.

There must be so many contributory factors to the general decline in the
number of pubs. The average age here is probably around 60? Most of us
will have started visiting pubs regularly 40+ years ago. Remember what
they were really like? Yes, there were some good 'uns, but a lot that
were not. Often run by a landlady who had been there years, probably
not running at a loss, but could hardly have been making a profit. That
generation of publican is long gone, together with that generation of
customer. Older men, couple of pints, game of dominoes or crib. Most
pubs had a pack of cards and crib board behind the counter.

Yes, pubs suffered from the drink/drive laws then, later, the smoking
laws, but there is far more to it than that. Most pubs had an off
licence, which was useful, but now redundant with longer shop hours.

Pubs tried to fight back, introducing food. At one time food was a
cheese roll (lunchtime only) or packet of crisps, then chicken or scampi
in a basket arrived, from which the whole business mushroomed (ha ha).
From that sprang Harvester and all the other family friendly pubs.
Suddenly eating out, usually at a pub, became the in thing. Pubs
started to add dining rooms or restaurants. Long gone were the public
bar, saloon bar and snug. Now, full circle. Many are restaurants with
a bar.

40 years ago, real ale was almost extinct. Now, probably thanks to
CAMRA, few pubs don't serve real ale. A Double Diamond works wonders.

Perhaps the biggest change, though, is socialising. 40 years ago, if I
didn't go to the pub, I didn't socialise. No need to make arrangements
- if I went to the pub, I knew I would meet a friend or three. Now,
kids spend their lives socialising without leaving home. No need to go
to the pub. I do find that sad - socialising via computer can never
equal socialising face to face with a pint in hand.

--
Graeme