Norwich paper out to save city's pubs

A local newspaper in Norwich is running a campaign to help save the city's pubs.

The Norwich Evening News's Love your Local campaign aims to encourage locals "to support their favourite boozer by highlighting all the good things about pubs, especially focusing on the positive impact they have on communities".

The paper published statistics showing that in 1905 there were 363 pubs inside the city walls, but by the end of 2008 only 140 pubs remained.

A statement from the paper urged public support, saying: "The situation is so bad there are real fears the traditional pub, as we know it, could soon become extinct, a thing of the past.

"We believe pubs are an integral part of our society, can play a vital role in building up community spirit and are important to the economy of the city."

The newspaper invites Norwich residents to help by visiting their local at least once a week, meeting friends there for a meal, holding parties and watching sport there.

Love your Local is backed by MPs, licensees, the Campaign for Real Ale and

the Norfolk and Norwich Licensed Victuallers Association (LVA).

The newspaper is also running a series of articles on the industry, covering topics such as a day in the life of a pub licensee, pubs diversifying, where the money goes from your £3 pint, how pubs have changed, and even talking to a University of East Anglia student who completed a dissertation on Norwich pubs.

For more information on the News's campaign email qnivq.onyr2@nepunag.pb.hx​.