Good news anyone?

Another week, another set of depressing economic surveys. I know I contribute to the increasing sense of gloom, doom and despondency by repeating the musings of such august bodies as the Confederation of British Industry.

But then it's what I'm paid to do. Like most hacks, the Bad News Gene is part of my physiological make-up. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to write rollicking good news stories about the sector, as Punch Taverns commander-in-chief Giles Thorley more or less exhorted me to do last week.

"There's a lot to be optimistic about," he enthused, as we talked of matters both Punch and industry-related after the pubco had announced the departure of leased division boss Deborah Kemp. Er, like what? I wondered. "Well, there's the London Olympics in 2012," he replied, then struggled to come up with anything else, bless him.

I can understand his predicament. While one wants to be positive, most people in the pub and brewing businesses I speak to have effectively written off much of 2009 already. Certainly the first couple of months of the New Year, which are traditionally quiet for the trade even when times are good, could prove to be especially nasty.

Consumers are even more fearful of spending unnecessarily; there's the possibility of a beer price war; debt-laden pub operators will be under the microscope more than ever - it's going to be a rough ride for many.

So roll on 2010. But it will still be tough for some even then, the hangover of 2008 and 2009 still in the air. There's much talk about the tough times weeding out poor operators, as if those who go under almost deserve to do so.

One thing is for certain: hatches are being battened down across the UK's 55,000-strong pub estate, regardless of where they sit in the quality scheme of things.