I think Wetherspoons attract a lot of folk in early with fairly reasonably-priced food.
When all is said and done, however, it has to be classed as one of these "pubcos" mentioned above. It must be quite hard for the "independents" to compete with these big groups.
They are not always benevolent, btw.
I know the pubco with "Greene" or "Ind" in its name can be a bggr when their bean-counters start coming up with unreasonable demands. Many good people get driven out of the pub-game, which is tough enough at the moment, imo.
I'm speaking from the wrong side of the bar, btw, so this is just a drunken customer's point of view.
I'd also say that some of these huge big wharehouse-type bars are really glorified cafeterias and not really the stereotypical, traditional, British pub of yesterday, that I think Morgan is anxious to preserve ( and quite rightly too, imo).
Sadly, the days of the working class quaffing gallons of ale nightly are probably a thing of the past nowadays. Society and the Economy and the "young folk" are different.
Regretably, the non-conversational, but "value" and "kicks"-seeking type of modernday punter ain't really interested in the old trad pub strongpoints. They want something else in the main.
The advent of cheaper drugs and cash 'n carry discount off-licenses has put the kybosh on many of the old, rural pubs, which are still reeling from the effects of the breathalyser and the smoking ban.
That said, the State - in its wisdom - has encouraged the spawning of thousands of micro-breweries by tax-breaks and grants. In many cases, these outfits have developed their own pubs and must be classed as relatively successful enterprises.
How long the success will last, I do not know. Fashion is very fickle. They do seem to provide a decent product, however.
I haven't signed the petition yet as my "blueprint" for trad pub survival was spelled out in earlier threads, where I suggested the imposition of a refundable deposit of say £1 on all carry-out bottles and cans.
That would give the pubs a fighting chance and, hopefully, restore power to landlords ( pub-governors) which would save thousands on
litter-picking and the cost of dealing with alcohol-inspired social and health problems.
On a happier note, I have to report that my experiences in pubs other than my usual haunts in Chester yesterday and today led me to be favourably impressed by the way they seem to have held down prices!
Yes, they're still too dear, but compared to the cost of drinking inside in the racecourse, they weren't bad,
provided you keep an eye on the few short-changing, rip-off merchants who are always in action in busy places.:tongue:
They've still a long way to go to be as bad as Ffos Las or Dingle, in my experience.
I won't even mention Ascot or Goodwood!
sean rua.
