LETTERs

Time to stand up and fight for pubs

I write with regard to last week's leader: "Pubs - going, going, gone".

I have, for some time, considered that we will lose some 20% to 25% of pubs by 2010. The sad thing following the disastrous 2008 budget is that we will probably lose one in three in the next 12 months.

I remember the good old days when the Government was indifferent to pubs. However, following campaigns by the Daily Wail and the health fascists, the Government has declared open warfare on pubs.

Perhaps the Morning Advertiser could pose a direct question to the Government: "How many pubs do you want to see in Britain?" We could, at least, see what they have in mind for us - then we can fight!

John Ellis

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Trade needs action, not words

With reference to the MA leader comment last week - come on then, instead of all this talk, let's unite and fight. Can anyone suggest a starting point? Localised petitions? A march on Downing Street? I've tried my MP, but that's not been too helpful. I even tried Gordon Brown and got a one-line response saying my letter had been referred to the Department of Health.

As an aside, when these drunken youngsters are picked up by police, as we so often see on TV and in the papers, clutching their cans and bottles, does anyone ask them where they got their drink? Another observation is that programmes frequently show how the police deal with problems when the clubs turn out. Where are the inspectors then? The ones who land on us if we serve a drunk? Something's not right, is it?

Anthea Henderson

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Unemployment fear is real

Regarding "Pubs - going, going, gone" (MA 13 March 2008), it's high time that the great British institution or Labour Government stopped seeing pubs as buildings selling alcohol and started seeing the individuals behind the doors.

We are not all bad. We do not all promote underage drinking, binge drinking, alcoholics and any other problems for which we seem to be blamed.

How do we sleep at night with so many of us facing the true reality that we may lose our jobs, homes and income? The guv'nor, landlord, licensee, whatever you choose to call him, is a hard-working individual with a family, with commitments, with aspirations for his business. What will they do with us when, along with our families, we are left broke, jobless and homeless? The answer is nothing.

Jane Acott

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Martin misses the point

Re: "Tim Martin attacks M&B over 'unproven' idea" (MA, 13 March 2008).

It seems that Tim is intent on diverting the focus away from the current issues facing us in the trade.

The fact is that the big boys play a far different game from us. And, at present, we are seeing the M&Bs in our area converting facilities from regular dining pubs that sold meals at an average of £6 per plate, to carveries that sell meals for £3.50, while at the same time dumping beer prices by as much as 50p a pint. No longer a pub, just a restaurant that sells beer.

It would appear they are fattening up these outlets for just such an occasion, namely sale and leaseback.

An independent operator cannot afford to sell the meals they sell and, therefore, cannot compete. They are steering away from alcohol, as they know what the Government's intent is.

William McLeod

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