Paul Heaton: Pedalling for pubs

What inspired the Pedals and Beer Pumps tour?

I was cycling last summer and I saw a couple of pubs closed down round Macclesfield way. Macclesfield is not an area I particularly care about, but it upset me seeing so many pubs closed. It's taking away history, so a light-bulb lit above my head and I thought, what if I peddle my wears in Cheshire.

And then I thought I could probably cycle the whole of England. So I spoke to friends, and they thought it was a great idea.

Just seeing my own local being threatened with closure as well. I call it my local, because it was my local for a long time, the Grafton in Hull - it's just a backstreet boozer really. It was closed down, then re-opened, then burnt down. There's a lot of pubs that are walking a tightrope.

What's the reaction from licensees been like?

People have shown real business initiative, and they've been really charming about it, in quite a kooky, funny way, that I would have never have thought about. At one pub there was a Beautiful South beer that was made in a microbrewery.

We got about 900 responses by email to the original story on The Publican website, it was incredible. They were such nice emails. It restores your faith, especially, for someone like me, who's a socialist. It was just like we'd love to have you at our pub, we are big fans of the band, or we have live music.

They weren't saying this is the best thing for us, money-wise, there was no sniff of that at all, it was just about making their locals happy and so they totally got the idea of it.
What role have pubs played in your career?

When I first started, I played pubs and to be given that opportunity was absolutely fantastic. The first 'yes' I got from a landlord was brilliant. A landlord who likes musicians is a real joy because a lot of musicians drink in pubs and if you start talking to them about music and they like your band, it's fantastic.

They are still in a position of power in the community.
Did you get a sense of why so many pubs are closing at the moment?

I think there's a variety of reasons. Some people blame the smoking ban, some blame supermarkets and tax.

It's going to be a real struggle now because some people have voted for a centre right government that will probably put unemployment up to 20 per cent by the end of the year so there will be people who want to go to the pub but can't afford it. I'm realistic about this government.

They are all friends of big business, there isn't a person in the Conservative shadow cabinet who isn't a millionaire. They are all freemarket capitalists, even Clegg is on the right of the Liberal party.

What makes a good pub?

For me it's the typical pub that is going to get closed down. I like a quiet pub, with a jukebox. I don't like a pool table, don't like Sky Sports.

I also love crisps. Tasting all the crisps. I've collected them on this trip. When we went to Shropshire, I had a packet of Welsh rarebit and Ludlow sausage. I think the landlord and landlady are really important too, just a friendly atmosphere, doesn't have to be anything special.

Any plans to buy a pub ever?

No. I always thought I'd have a bar actually. I'd quite like it. It'd be interesting if I had my girlfriend involved. She's into unusual things. I think the two of us would run a good bar. If it was just me by myself it would be a glorious failure.