HAS the local pub had its day as a social hub for the community?
HAS the local pub had its day as a social hub for the community?
Custom byline text:
The outlook is not encouraging. Over the last five years, Scotland has been losing three pubs a week. Those categorised as community pubs are particularly vulnerable, with one-fifth closing since 2007.
The loss of 42 locals in Argyll and Bute alone confirms that rural areas are particularly badly affected. The factors contributing to the demise of pubs throughout the country are well established. The most obvious is price. The higher cost of buying a drink in a pub, especially compared with cut-price promotions in supermarkets, is the main reason why most alcohol is now bought from off-sales and consumed at home. Once the minimum price legislation comes into effect, it should begin to even out the differential. To be fully effective, however, the policy will have to encourage a more responsible attitude to alcohol. Local pubs offering sociable, supervised drinking have a vital role to play in changing behaviour. Some landlords also attribute the drop in customers to the smoking ban, although the growing number of non-smokers regard the change as an advantage.
We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.
Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.
Call time on the decline of the community pub
HAS the local pub had its day as a social hub for the community?
The outlook is not encouraging. Over the last five years, Scotland has been losing three pubs a week. Those categorised as community pubs are particularly vulnerable, with one-fifth closing since 2007.
The loss of 42 locals in Argyll and Bute alone confirms that rural areas are particularly badly affected. The factors contributing to the demise of pubs throughout the country are well established. The most obvious is price. The higher cost of buying a drink in a pub, especially compared with cut-price promotions in supermarkets, is the main reason why most alcohol is now bought from off-sales and consumed at home. Once the minimum price legislation comes into effect, it should begin to even out the differential. To be fully effective, however, the policy will have to encourage a more responsible attitude to alcohol. Local pubs offering sociable, supervised drinking have a vital role to play in changing behaviour. Some landlords also attribute the drop in customers to the smoking ban, although the growing number of non-smokers regard the change as an advantage.
Commenting & Moderation
We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.
Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.
MOST READ
SPONSORED LINKS
MOST COMMENTED