12:16pm Thursday 19th June 2008
By Miles Godfrey
There was a time, not so long ago, when the local pub was the cornerstone of the community.
It was a place to meet, to chat, to smoke, to drink.
Come rain or shine, the landlord generally knew he would have punters coming through the door. But not any more. The trade is under serious threat.
In the same way that post offices and small village stores have been undermined, so too the local pub is now being forced out of business.
At least that is the view of a growing number of people in the trade.
A combination of factors, including high taxes on alcohol, the smoking ban and cheap supermarket booze, have all conspired to create a maelstrom of problems. "A perfect storm", as one expert described it.
Alan Walker, landlord of the Cricketers, in Broadwater, is among those who reckons the number of small pubs could halve in the coming years.
He sees the availability of cheap supermarket drink as one of the main reasons.
Mr Walker said: "For example you have four lads who want to watch the European football championships.
"They have the option of either going to the pub and spending £30 or £40 each and have a good time.
"Or they can go to the supermarket, pick up a crate of beers for about £15 and watch it at home with a barbecue.
"For many people, particularly now with all the other financial difficulties associated with the credit crunch, that is easily the best option."
The smoking ban, too, has added to landlords' woes. Those running bigger pubs and those attached to the large chains, have generally coped, according to organisations such as the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra).
The chains have been able to introduce large outdoor smoking areas and generate extra revenue from food.
But the smaller pubs have not had either the financial muscle or, in some cases, the know-how to make it happen.
A spokesman for Camra in Sussex said: "The stark reality is that many smaller pubs are facing a very bleak future.
"There is still a huge market for good food and beer but the economic conditions landlords now face make it extremely difficult.
"There needs to be swift action by the Government to intervene and ease the burden on landlords."
But Nick Earee, southern divisional director of Fleurets, the licensed property agents, based in Hove, believes circumstances facing landlords also present opportunities.
He said: "It's true to say we've seen some operators exit the market, but it's also true that the ban has been a catalyst for some people to consider running a pub for the first time.
"It is also fair to say that while some smokers will be staying at home, other consumers will be using the new environment to take another look at their local."
At least 100 pubs are on the market in Sussex, with many of those smaller outlets and many in rural locations. Iain Lowe, Camra's spokesman issued a rallying cry for locals to support their pubs. He said: "It's a case of use them or lose them."
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