THE GUV'NOR

Peter Eveleigh

Riverside Inn, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire

Whenever the time comes to think about these articles, like other folk who make similar contributions, I try to project a realistic or upbeat message combined with practical advice - if it is worth sharing.

I have to say this has become increasingly difficult. Pressure from all quarters continues to bear on the frontline trade - particularly the self-employed licensee. There really isn't much good news about and the outlook doesn't look much brighter.

I was taken by the spin (sorry - political comment) surrounding the latest Office of National Statistics (ONS) survey announcing the 30% reduction in alcohol consumption. Hurrah! Binge drinking is under control. The new community policing strategy is getting on top of the problem. Or not.

Last Tuesday evening I was travelling back from Marlborough and out of interest took a snapshot of how many punters were in pubs along that route - including three towns.

Of the 20 odd pubs I passed, three had shut early. I doubt if the rest had 50 punters between the lot - and many were outside having a smoke. There was not one which I'd describe as "busy".

Isn't the truth that this Government has squeezed the last fraction of the leisure pound out of our pockets, so punters cannot afford to go out as often as they might like, reduced instead to buying from the superstore and drinking at home?

With all the price rises and tax increases now in the pipeline, we are really going to have to critically examine every item of our overhead costs and be draconian about cutting back if we are to survive.

Good luck everybody - it's going to be a rough old ride.