British pubs are losing custom because of a fall in the number of tourists.
Britain's top tourist attractions suffered a big dip in visitors last year, according to a report by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions. Nearby publicans who rely on tourist trade were hit as a result.
According to the figures, Blackpool Pleasure Beach welcomed 5.73 million visitors in 2003 - a 10 per cent drop on the total for 2002. Visitors to London's Tate Modern were down 16 per cent and visitors to the Eden Project in Cornwall fell by a whopping 19 per cent.
Mark Heard, licensee of Lineker's in Blackpool, said: "Last year was my worst in six years. People are taking cheap holidays abroad rather than holidaying in the UK.
"And Blackpool is also suffering an image problem, which doesn't help."
Julian Bainbridge, licensee of the Paper Moon in Southwark near the Tate Modern, has also lost business. He said: "The number of customers in my pub who are tourists has fallen by about 85 per cent.
"And it has not helped that the council is directing them another way so they no longer have to walk past my pub."
Sheena Durnin, who runs the Poachers Inn near the Eden Project, said: "Business has fallen by about 30 per cent. There are hardly any tourists passing by here anymore."
It's been a tough few years for the tourist industry since the foot-and-mouth outbreak in 2001. The continuing threat of terrorism has also put overseas visitors off coming to the UK.
However, December saw a 5.4 per cent increase in the number of visitors coming into the country through tour operators, the British Incoming Tour Operators Association has reported.
Percentage of visitors lost or gained in 2003
- Tate Modern -16%
- Science Museum +6%
- National Maritime Museum +8%
- Kew Gardens +9%
- Westminster Abbey -5%
- London Zoo -8%
- Tower of London -3.6%
- Blackpool Pleasure Beach -10%
- Eden Project -19%
- Edinburgh Castle +1%
Pictured: Blackpool Tower