Pub Closures
The following is an open letter written to Enterprise Pub Co about the way they are closing pubs.
Having been an entertainer for over 30 years, I have
probably played in most of the public houses you manage. I am also a lay
official with the performers union Equity, who have over 37,500 members.
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Equity are a member of the parliamentary Performers Alliance, who debate
all issues relating to entertainment, including the recently changed Live Music
Bill, helping large numbers of venues to get back on their feet by removing the
need for an entertainment licence for venues holding 200 people or less.
Camra, to whom I also belong, have achieved a
petition of over 100,000 signatures asking that the Beer Escalator Duty be
abolished. Consequently, they will be going to Westminster on December 12th 2012
to ask that this happen. This has also generated parliamentary debate.
Both of these organisation's lobby and campaign tirelessly to save venues from
closure, taking the vital community value of them into the highest
consideration. The long term effects of your current policy to reduce the
number of pubs for profit will have far reaching consequences which will be
irreversible, the entire landscape of social interaction will be rewritten
because of your determination to continue down your present road.
I have to ask you having outlined the position of both
Equity and Camra, why when other groups such as the aforementioned are
fighting valiantly to secure the future of the type of venues you
own, you are failing completely to respond to the massive public
objections surrounding your policy of selling of your venues to Tesco,
Sainsbury's or any other outlet where our pubs are currently placed.
Do you think that you are helping any part of the community
whatsoever when you allow through your sales, for a Tesco to open
up right next door to a Co-op. "The Fellowship Bristol" The buildings
are actually joined. I also know that it was a condition of sale that Tesco
were NOT advertised as the new owners on the signage, so by the time the locals
found out, it was too late to object. You will have had to agree to this in
order for the sale to proceed.
When given an opportunity to talk to enraged residents and
traders at the Bristol House in Weston-super-Mare so that they could share
their concerns with you and Tesco, you both declined. Why am I not surprised.
Of course, with planning consent not being granted, Tesco are no longer
interested, but quite rightly, everyone in the area is now keeping a very close
eye on the future of this venue.
In today's climate, I am not unsympathetic that somewhere
along the line, cuts must be made, and money must be generated from
sales. However, there is nothing preventing you from selling the pubs
with a caveat that they must remain as a pub to whoever buys them. There are now
more and more residents groups who are buying back their pubs, post offices and
the like and running them very successfully. Wouldn't you rather be part of
this, instead of the current reputation you have of being completely
unconcerned with the drastic effects of unemployment, reduction in community
resources, and an attitude of we will do what we like in spite of anyone else.
The public are your friends, a well-run, friendly local is a
vital part of our community. Surely, unless you have a private arrangement, why
would you be in bed with supermarkets who are decimating your trade at every
opportunity selling cut price alcohol. Why, unless it is pure greed, are you
raising your rents to a level which you know no landlord will be able to
achieve, thus closing the venue, and making it available for sale. Does this
show any concern for a viable licensed premises. I don't think so. Your
duty of care to the public, and to yourselves, is to employ managers as an
investment in everyone's future, that will work honestly and with enthusiasm to
serve everyone's' needs. This should, and could be your intention.
Clifford Evans
Comments
by jam31111
Saturday, February 23 2013, 9:18PM
“The great british pub died along time ago. The smoking ban was the last nail in the coffin that saw millions of people stop going. It really is the fault of the pub industry for not standing together defending their loyal customers and their right to smoke inside. They are still closing at a rate of eighteen per week. Bristol's hospitality industry has been crippled... Serves them right”
by jam31111
Saturday, February 23 2013, 9:18PM
“The great british pub died along time ago. The smoking ban was the last nail in the coffin that saw millions of people stop going. It really is the fault of the pub industry for not standing together defending their loyal customers and their right to smoke inside. They are still closing at a rate of eighteen per week. Bristol's hospitality industry has been crippled... Serves them right”
by jam31111
Saturday, February 23 2013, 9:18PM
“The great british pub died along time ago. The smoking ban was the last nail in the coffin that saw millions of people stop going. It really is the fault of the pub industry for not standing together defending their loyal customers and their right to smoke inside. They are still closing at a rate of eighteen per week. Bristol's hospitality industry has been crippled... Serves them right”
by handymanphil
Saturday, February 23 2013, 9:15AM
“A very truthful piece of writing but the problem goes back to before the smoking ban was implemented for as we all know, the pubcos were well and truly sucked in byh all of Blairs spin about millions of non smokers just waiting to invade the pubs & clubs. All the pubcos were bothered about was the fact that they might lose a few pubs each and that at least a total smoking ban would produce a 'level playing gield'!
Well it's doing that alright as it is literally levelling the pub scene with 12% of our pubs already gone! Who needs 50,000+ eating houses that also happen to sell beers? And what happens when the market place is over stocked with eateries (as it is rapidly becoming)? Quite simply, the eateries start closing, putting more & more people out of work.
Do I have any sympathy for licensees anymore? Absolutely none!
Do I care if another 200,000 hospitality sector workers find their way to our ever growing dole queues? Do I hellers like!
We are 5.5 years into a ridiculously implemented "Total Smoking Ban" yet more than 20% still CHOOSE to smoke and cancer rates are still rising-oh yes they are and will continue to do so!
Had there been CHOICE for licensees then fair enough but that option was never considered as the then CMO (Liam Donaldson) had a hissy fit, stamped his feet and threatened to resign if a total ban wasn't implemented. His 30 pieces of silver equalled a seat on the 'top table' of the WHO - that's all! Misery for millions so that he could sit with the elite ignoring the plight of millions starving in Africa!
Government gave supermarkets a 'license to print money' the day the smoking ban was enforced, so when all the pubs have gone and the supermarkets sell all the booze, just remember which complete f..wits engineered this entire situation and the supposed (fabricated) health reasons behind all this poverty, misery, unemployment and the loss of a big chunk of our heritage!”