Phil Johnson: Bugger England!

I remembered one particular night was an absolute barrel of fun: yes fun! A pub on a corner full of people, full of laughter, full of music - and full of ashtrays, but nobody seemed to object to the smokers then.

Recently, a reader's comment from a lady named Caroline intrigued me greatly and upon research found that this lady, with her husband Peter, now run that very pub on the corner of Laburnam Grove.

It is called "The Family Tree", but one could say that its branches have been severely lopped. From that heady night of memories comes now another tale, a very different tale, in fact a most woeful tale indeed!

Peter & Caroline kindly spoke to me about their home, their business and most importantly, their life.

They took the pub on nearly two years ago, a thriving business, just as it was some ten years ago when Mr & Mrs J well and truly sampled the delights within. Happiness prevailed. Nearly two years on and happiness has been replaced by gloom and desperation.

How could this happen? They seemed perfectly nice people to talk to, well spoken, polite and knowlegeable about their chosen profession, so why the air of despair?

I was told the following:- "When we started we had one full time staff and four part-timers. Now we are down to one part-timer two nights a week. We used to regularly have up to 150 customers on Friday and Saturday nights, now we are extremely lucky to get 50. We've had tribute bands but to no avail - it was just a waste of money.

"On Sundays we used to have people queueing outside, now, the wind of change blows in when we open the doors! We used to average £500 of a Sunday dinnertime, last week's takings were £45 and we shut at 4pm as there was no point wasting electricity any longer.

"We open every day at noon but we only see stragglers. We now shut at 9pm latest Monday through Thursday because business is that bad. We live here, it is our home, our children's home, our business, our life and we have been badly let down by this government of ours that is supposed to be for the working classes!"

Peter took over from his tearful wife and I could do nothing but apologise profusely for causing her such upset. He continued to explain that takings were now down £3,000 per week, people simply didn't come anymore. They had created a patio for smokers, decking, seats, outside heaters the lot - but they still don't come.

If the smoking law kills the tourist trade off this summer Peter & Caroline will be bankrupt, unemployed and worse still, homeless.

The Chancellor, Mr Darling is without doubt banned from their beleaguered hostelry. Well, as long as it remains open he is!

Have you ever had that awful feeling you shouldn't have made that call? I was distressed; I cannot imagine their state of mind.

It is so sad to see good honest, hard working people destroyed by their own government - a government that promises health, wealth and happiness, a government that is supposed to care for its voters.

From what Peter & Caroline have told me, had they had the freedom to choose they would have used a fraction of the money spent on the outside space to create a smoking room. And they would still have been in a strong business position. They have a 3rd room at the back of their pub which would have been ideal.

George V famously said "bugger Bognor". It would seem from these honest, hard working people that this government has uttered something similar. Except it is not "bugger Bognor" anymore. It's "Bugger the pubs","Bugger the people" and "Bugger England"!

-----

Guest blogger Phil Johnson comes from a pub owning family and his wife works in a brewery. He worked for many years doing repairs in local pubs.

• Would you like to write for the Publican? If you would like to write a guest blog, send 400 - 800 to webeditor@thepublican.com, with your name and details of your connection to the pub trade.