A few weeks ago The Guardian printed a multicoloured map showing Britain's unemployment hotspots. On the south coast, directly below London, was a tiny blob, surrounded by glowing joblessness. That was the City of Brighton & Hove.
The publicans we spoke to in Brighton, in the main, appreciate they're better off than most of the country.
It's not all milk and honey, of course. Recent office closures have hit trade and away from the centre pubs use flexible opening judiciously, some opening in the morning and closing early and many only trading in the evenings midweek.
But a mere handful of pubs have shut down and most are looking forward to the summer when the day-trippers and dirty weekenders flood down from The Smoke.
And in term-time, there are the students - Brighton has more than 30,000 of them.
Success as a party destination can bring its own problems, though. Since the Licensing Act pubs and bars in the centre are staying open well into the early hours, and this has sucked trade from community pubs on the outskirts.
Then there is the potential for disorder, an issue which Brighton has tackled in its own unique way, winning the local council Beacon Status for managing the night-time economy.
The focus is on West Street, the main circuit. It has its own dedicated police team which maintains a high profile on Friday and Saturday nights and meets the trade in the early evening to discuss likely trouble spots. Bus services run through the night, and taxi marshals keep order. A church opens its doors as a 'safe place' where the vulnerable can escape the hubbub and find help to get home.
Brighton & Hove Council does its bit by making sure the streets are clean and tidy, "setting the right atmosphere", as Cllr Sir Geoffrey Theobald puts it.
Sir Geoffrey is cabinet member for the environment and a leading figure in Brighton's night-time strategy.
"We're a lively city that attracts people across the spectrum," he says. "A lot of people make their living out of that and we want to maximise the benefits. We want visitors to feel comfortable and happy and our message is that you can't do it on your own, you've got to have everyone on board.
"The licensing committee has taken a strong line where there's disorder. Pubs have been closed for periods and strong conditions introduced. But we listen to our partners in the licensed trade, in the police. They're the ones on the ground.
"The good thing is that people here are prepared to give time and ideas to make this a great place for everybody."
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Views from the pub
James Brett is tenant at Shepherd Neame's Caxton Arms, near Brighton Station
How much will a drink cost me?
A pint of Kent's Best is £3 and Oranjeboom is £3.20. A 175ml glass of wine starts from £3.20 and a vodka and Coke is £3.
Do you do food?
Someone runs the kitchen for us. We try to keep prices under £5 at lunchtime and serve more elaborate dishes in the evenings.
Who are your customers?
Mainly the after-work office crowd and people from other parts of Brighton who know we're here.
What attracts people?
Because the Caxton is a bit tucked away I think a lot of people discover it for themselves and see it as a hidden gem - in the centre of town but in a nice quiet street. The garden is a big attraction, too.
What are the big issues affecting trade in Brighton?
For us it's the office closures. We're really having to compete for trade. Strangely, good weather can ruin it for us because everyone wants to be on the beach. At the first sign of sun we're quiet. But as soon as the tourists arrive we get the locals back. Cheaper parking would help but fortunately a lot of people still come down to Brighton and we're better off than some.
Matt Wilks manages the Globe just off the seafront, one of InnBrighton's 43 pubs in the city
How much will a drink cost me?
Thanks to the Budget the price of a standard pint of bitter has gone up to £3.05, lager is now £3.20 and Guinness £3.60. A spirit and mixer is £3.15 and a 175ml glass of wine £3.45.
Do you do food?
Yes, from noon till late. I'd describe it as modern pub food including classics like fish and chips and bangers and mash, and we have a good number of vegetarian options. Our Sunday roast is legendary and brings people here from all over.
Who are your customers?
We have a varied customer base, from students to suits to tourists. It's a real mix.
What attracts people?
We're a traditional, proper pub in the heart of Brighton with a reputation as a lively place to go. Not many people live round here, so we have to do things to pull them in - live music, DJs and a quiz night.
What are the big issues affecting trade in Brighton?
Like everyone else we've had the price increases at the last Budget. Customers understand why we've had to do it but it still means people have less to spend. Trade is OK, though. This is an unusual town and the recession hasn't really hit us yet.
Matt Wickham runs The Evening Star is one of three pubs owned by Sussex brewer Dark Star
How much will a drink cost me?
Hophead is £2.60 a pint, Natural Blonde lager is £2.80. A spirit and mixer will cost you £2.90 and a 175ml glass of wine is £3.20.
Do you do food?
Cold baguettes at lunchtime. It's something to fill your stomach while you're having a few beers.
Who are your customers?
We get office people at lunchtime, and everyone from students to pensioners in the evening, including people on their way home from London.
What attracts people?
People come here for the beer - 80 per cent of our sales are real ale. Occasionally we have live music, which brings in some extra people.
What are the big issues affecting trade in Brighton?
It's the credit crunch mainly. People haven't got so much to spend on going to the pub, and the price of drink keeps going up, so quite a few aren't coming in as much as they used to. We have had some problems here with neighbours complaining about the noise, and have restrictions on our licence, which is a pain because people like to sit outside. But we're lucky here, really.
Rob Hoare, a Punch Taverns lessee, runs the Hartington, a community pub in the Hanover area
How much will a drink cost me?
A pint of Harvey's is £2.80, Carling is £3.20, Staropramen £3.65 and Guinness £3.45. A vodka and Coke is £2.45, gin and tonic £3 and the house wine £3.25 for a 175ml glass.
Do you do food?
Food is becoming more important for us. We have two parallel menus, contemporary English food and tapas, which doubles as starters. Most is sold in the evenings.
Who are your customers?
It's a mix of local people who come here to eat with a healthy sprinkling of students.
What attracts people?
We've got a good reputation for our food, and the real ale is going especially well since we introduced a rotating guest beer. We don't put on anything else while we're serving food, but when the kitchen's closed on a Sunday night people can bring in takeaways and play games, and we have a charity quiz twice a month.
What are the big issues affecting trade in Brighton?
The smoking ban has had a big effect - but not necessarily a n