Supporting the local pub

[annedonnelly]

They (non-drinks-buying-members) probably thought nothing of it. Pubs are so expensive now that few people can afford to just have a pint when it's nearing £6 in most places. Often a soft drink is not much better, I've paid £4.25 for a pint of coke before. It's not the pubs fault of course, they are often locked in with a supplier so can't just buy cheap bottles from a cash and carry.

I paid £1.50 for my soft drink. They might have had something cheaper still.

 

[Alex321]

A moral question...

We're quick to harp on about the number of purveyors of harmful intoxicating liquor that are being forced to close. Use them ormlose them, and all that.

Why is there not the same outcry to save other outlets that sell a harmful product, such as tobacconists or bookies shops?

As a non drinker I dont think thats an unreasonable question for society tk be asking itself.

The difference is that those other places are just outlets.

People buy their poison of choice there and take it home to consume.

Wheras a pub is also a social centre, particularly in a fairly small community.

 

[T4tomo]

I've never heard anyone say its a lovely village but such a shame it doesn't have a bookies?

Are there specialist tobacconists anymore - i don't think so @Drago?
More likely to be the corner shop / convenience store which are useful assets for communities, despite being more expensive than Supermarkets.

 

[Ian H]

Quite a few local villages have bought their pubs and turned them into community pubs. They mostly seem to do pretty well.

 

[OldShep]

40 years since I’ve been the Cross Keys. They used to have Guinea Fowl on the menu 😁
The Reivers tea room by the bridge was one of those places my bike wouldn’t go past. Dont know if that closed because of lack of trade or the two ladies retired.

 

[markemark]

Although I would buy a drink, it's also unreasonable to expect people to buy a drink if they were not part of the decision making to go there. People have all sorts of different financial positions. The notice could have be along the lines of...we can take turns to do it in people's houses or in the pub if most are happy to buy a drink. If that wasn't said at the outset, then nobody is under any obligation.

 

[VinSumRox]

Our only local closed recently as the tenants struggled to make a profit with the cost of the lease and tied to the chain for drink purchases. They have moved to a nearby village leasing a bar from the local community.
It has really affected the village as it was the only business in the place and they really made an effort to encourage people in.
It is available to lease from a chain at a cost of £22,000 a year.

 

[PaulSB]

I've been to two committee meetings in the village this week (two different organisations). Both held in the local pub - which was closed a few months ago but the owner is trying to keep it running & opens every evening. I'm not a pub goer but the village would suffer without it.

At both meetings only about half of us bought a drink. The others sat there using the heat and light - last night we were next to a roaring fire - and didn't spend a penny to support the pub. I know they're doing their bit for the community by being on the committee and organising stuff but surely they could've spent a couple of quid on a soft drink.

I even offered to buy drinks for my fellow committee members last night but they "had just had their tea". Frankly I was embarrassed - especially last night as I'd organised the meeting.

My cycling club, I was secretary, holds committee meetings in the local pub which is our ride meet point. The committee turn up, by a drink each and occupy 3 - 4 tables for a couple of hours.

I always felt a pub was completely the wrong place for a committee meeting and 10 - 12 people buying a drink each and sitting for two hours was a monumental piss take. I very much take and agree with your point but also feel it's an unsuitable venue.

As for the thread title of support again I'd agree with a big "but." First and foremost the pub needs to offer what people want. Our local is ten minutes across the fields. 15 -20 years ago it was very busy, the landlord understood the demographic. We could wander in and meet many friends. Since then perhaps 5 - 6 landlords have come and gone, all failed and customers declined. It's just not a very nice place to go. I'd rather have a beer at home.