THE GUV'NOR

The industry must unite and

fight on all fronts to save the

great British pub following the summer of discontent, says the licensee of the Cherry Tree in Rowledge, Surrey

The icy blast that greeted me this morning told me the summer of discontent is over. What will the winter trading months bring? Higher interest rates? Mortgage increases? Customers taking home very cheap beer now that the supermarkets have been cleared by the competition commission to continue selling it as a loss leader?

It seems to me that no matter what we do to try and earn a crust - and yes it really is just a crust these days, not with butter, jam or the cream that we hope - we get persecuted from all sides.

Central Government, local Government, red tape, sting operations, major supermarkets, increased rents and utility bills - everywhere we turn, we are being held to ransom. Where will it all end?

Will we see the demise of the great British pub so envied throughout the world? I fear so.

Without help, many will fall by the wayside. They will see their business and their home sold, with a Wimpey sign being erected where the traditional pub sign once was. Bang goes part of our heritage - turned into executive housing or even, as in my area, an Indian restaurant.

We need to stand united and battle on together. So, come on and let's see our industry fighting with us and not against us. Then maybe this winter will see us content, warm and secure.