Golden years

The pub trade - and the world - are very different places today compared to how they were 30 years ago, as Michelle Perrett and Nick Yates report.

• 1975​

The Publican was launched as a fortnightly newspaper. Britain took the decision to stay in the European Economic Community - which will have far-reaching implications for legislation and pubs.

It was also the year that the Conservative Party chose its first female leader - a woman called Margaret Thatcher.

The first live radio transmission from the House of Commons was broadcast, while TV boasted the first showing of Fawlty Towers.

1976​

Harold Wilson, Labour leader for 13 years and PM for eight years, stunned the political world by announcing his resignation.

A hot summer saw pub trade boom and the government was forced into emergency action by appointing a Minister for Drought.

The newly formed National Union of Licensed Victuallers (NULV) fought a campaign to protect tenants after brewers started converting pubs into managed houses.

Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon separated and Jimmy Carter was confirmed as President of the US.

1977​

Pubs organised parties to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee.

A British person won Wimbledon with Virginia Wade taking the women's singles, Elvis Presley died and Red Rum won the Grand National for the third time.

Record label EMI ended its contract with punk rock group the Sex Pistols because of their bad behaviour in public, and thousands flocked to the cinema to see the new blockbuster Star Wars.

1978​

It was the punk era where smashed windows and broken furniture cost the pub trade millions. In the first non-discrimination notice issued by the Commission for Racial Equality, Birmingham nightclub Pollyanna's was ordered to open its doors to black and Chinese people.

It was the year of the first test tube baby, Louise Brown, and the Boomtown Rats were top of the charts with Rat Trap.

1979​

This was the winter of discontent as unofficial strikes over the government's pay policy stopped all services.

Rubbish piled up, bodies were not buried and people were turned away from hospitals.

Brewers moved to raise beer and spirit prices but were blocked by the Price Commission. Margaret Thatcher became the UK's first female Prime Minister.

It was also the year that the Sex Pistols' bass player Sid Vicious died of a heroin overdose.

1980​

The Tory government had a look at licensing laws and gave official approval to Scottish legislation. The law allowed longer hours and was voted a hit with the tenants union NULV at its annual conference.

Exclusion orders were introduced for the first time, allowing magistrates to ban convicted violent offenders from pubs.

It was the year that Beatle John Lennon was shot dead and Margaret Thatcher made her famous speech on economic policy, claiming "You turn if you want to. The lady's not for turning!" Ronald Reagan became US President.

1981​

Draft proposals by the EEC Commission to abolish the brewers' tie in Europe were published. It would allow all tenants to buy beers, wines and spirits from a source of their own choice and set their retail prices.

It was the year that Bucks Fizz won the Eurovision Song Contest with Making Your Mind Up, Soft Cell's Tainted Love topped the charts and Postman Pat started on television. Prince Charles married Lady Diana, while the Pope and Ronald Reagan were both shot and survived. 1982​

The biggest news of the year was in April when Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands. Two months later the country surrendered to British troops. Laker Airways went bust, Princess Grace of Monaco died of injuries in a car crash and famous ship the Mary Rose was raised from the sea-bed.

The industry was shocked by a report, revealed after being kept secret since 1979, detailing the government's reluctance to allow flexible opening hours and suggesting random breath tests, a ban on alcohol advertising and stricter enforcement on age restrictions.

1983​

Local authorities took control of public entertainment licensing and Grand Metropolitan reveals a major plan to transform 750 pubs into the Chef & Brewer managed chain.

It is also the year the BBC launched breakfast television, Roland Rat hit the TV screens, 1981 Derby winner Shergar is kidnapped and Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Party wins a landslide second-term election victory.

1984​

The great miners strike began in March - the year-long action had a devastating effect on pubs in pit communities.

During the strike many pubs were transformed into strike headquarters, but months later the same pubs were being forced to close due to plummeting profits.

FLAG - the Flexi-Law Action Group, a joint committee of trade bodies - is formed to co-ordinate on licensing.

1985​

Publicans were worried that Margaret Thatcher's plans to replace the rating system in Wales could result in increases of up to 50 per cent.

Police forces up and down the country became far stricter over drink-driving offences.

Mikhail Gorbachev became leader of the Soviet Union and unknown German tennis player Boris Becker becomes the youngest winner at Wimbledon at the age of 17.

1986​

The lack of pub food was highlighted in a survey in The Publican, showing that catering amounted to just 14.4 per cent of all pub turnover.

The year will be remembered for the Chernobyl nuclear power station blaze and the deadly explosion on US space shuttle Challenger.

It was also the year that Prince Andrew married Sarah Ferguson.

1987​

The Conservatives, under leader Margaret Thatcher, won a third term.

Reform of licensing hours was discussed by the government and the Home Office indicated that the proposals were being treated seriously by the Tories.

In October, pubs were clearing up from the damage of hurricane force winds, which hit the South of England. The newly-renamed National Licensed Victuallers Association held its first annual conference in Brighton.

1988​

This marked the start of all-day opening which promptly put an end to fears that extra drinking would lead to increased violence on the streets. This was also the year that the first long lease hit the sector, as Grand Metropolitan announced plans to switch its 3,600 tenanted pubs over to leasehold with 20-year assignable leases.

It was the year that the Poll Tax caused a storm and the pleasure boat disaster Marchioness saw the deaths of 30 people.

1989​

The Monopolies and Merger Commission's proposals prompted a campaign by the Brewers Society, urging the government to reject its plans. In July, Lord Young announces plans for a "more competitive" pub trade and the Beer Orders are published, forcing brewers to sell off pubs.

The Exxon Valdez ship hit a reef releasing an eight mile oil slick, and Manchester United is sold to property tycoon Michael Knighton for £20m.

1990​

This is the year the Berlin Wall came down, Margaret Thatcher left office after failing to get enough votes in a leadership election and grey man John Major takes over at Number 10.

Pubs start to feel the effect of the recession as employees are laid off and companies close.

1991​

The independent pub company starts to emerge bringing new ideas and concepts specifically attracted to women and families.

Young, single women were encouraged to apply for pub licences but male licensees complain.

Freddie Mercury from roc