Many pubs in the UK are being mourned, as there are reports of an ongoing pub death. Last year a thousand pubs closed and this year twenty pubs a week have collapsed. “It’s people’s second living room, many pubs have been around for hundreds of years,” says James Savage, editor-in-chief of The Local newspaper.
The pub is a real social institution in Great Britain, where the British gather to socialize with friends, acquaintances and people you don’t see very often. There are pubs that have existed since the 13th century and they are an important cultural and historical part of the country.
– When they start to disappear, it will be a very anxious time for many Britons, says James Savage.
For many, the pub plays a big role, but at the same time the habits of the British have changed. Among other things, people drink less than they did before and people no longer value socializing with the locals in the same way. In addition, people engage in activities other than going to the pub. This, combined with high energy costs, has put many pubs out of business.
The pub is important in both the big city and the countryside but in the countryside it has been extra important, in villages the pub and the church are sometimes the only businesses that have existed and both are going through bad times right now.
– It’s a problem, if you live in a small village, the pub is the hub of the community, so if it disappears, villages become lifeless, says the editor-in-chief.
Rescue attempt by the local population
To try to save the pubs, it has happened that the local population creates foundations and buys the pub. They have also tried to expand the pub’s operations to, for example, a post office or shop.
– The pub becomes a little more viable and offers something different to the villages that may have lost their general store, says James Savage.
The rescue attempts have worked when there has been great commitment from the pub owner or the local population, but otherwise the pubs have collapsed. Since the year 2000, twenty-five percent of all pubs have disappeared and James Savage believes there will be more – but there is hope.
– I think that good pubs that have good food and offer something and are run by entrepreneurs, they will remain, he says.