Comments on: Who do we blame for pubs closing? http://amdsoft.com/2007/03/29/who-do-we-blame-for-pubs-closing/ stuff for nerds, news that matters Sun, 23 Nov 2008 14:51:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: bnitz http://amdsoft.com/2007/03/29/who-do-we-blame-for-pubs-closing/#comment-1883 bnitz Thu, 29 Mar 2007 15:49:06 +0000 http://amdsoft.com/2007/03/29/who-do-we-blame-for-pubs-closing/#comment-1883 Here's my take: The price of the land beneath the pub and the building itself has far outstripped the profitability of the pub itself. During the early part of this century I'd venture to guess that the average Irish pub made more in "capital appreciation" than it did in sales. The smoking ban, clampdown on drink-driving, the ubiquity of cable T.V. and even the crackdown on underage children after hours (which is actually a problem for jet-lagged tourists in villages where the pub is also the only restaurant.) Pubs are shifting from centers of public entertainment + alcohol consumption to pure centers of alcohol consumption where they have to compete with home. Unfortunately, Ireland is following the U.S. model for traffic, urban sprawl and pub life. I think pubs can survive if they moved towards the Spanish "tapas" model. Children are usually welcome so it becomes a family meeting place, food is as important and available as drink. Ireland also needs to do something to prevent high-rent and land sales pressure from squeezing pubs, shops, petrol stations... out of businesses. Here’s my take: The price of the land beneath the pub and the building itself has far outstripped the profitability of the pub itself. During the early part of this century I’d venture to guess that the average Irish pub made more in “capital appreciation” than it did in sales.

The smoking ban, clampdown on drink-driving, the ubiquity of cable T.V. and even the crackdown on underage children after hours (which is actually a problem for jet-lagged tourists in villages where the pub is also the only restaurant.) Pubs are shifting from centers of public entertainment + alcohol consumption to pure centers of alcohol consumption where they have to compete with home. Unfortunately, Ireland is following the U.S. model for traffic, urban sprawl and pub life. I think pubs can survive if they moved towards the Spanish “tapas” model. Children are usually welcome so it becomes a family meeting place, food is as important and available as drink. Ireland also needs to do something to prevent high-rent and land sales pressure from squeezing pubs, shops, petrol stations… out of businesses.

]]> By: Grandad http://amdsoft.com/2007/03/29/who-do-we-blame-for-pubs-closing/#comment-1863 Grandad Thu, 29 Mar 2007 09:02:15 +0000 http://amdsoft.com/2007/03/29/who-do-we-blame-for-pubs-closing/#comment-1863 I can't remember the precise source, but they ascribed the drop in trade to the clampdown on drink-driving <em>and</em> the smoking ban. I wouldn't say the price of drink is so much a factor, as it has never put people off before. And that is coming from someone who used to pay under 2 shillings a pint!!! [around 12 cents?] I can’t remember the precise source, but they ascribed the drop in trade to the clampdown on drink-driving and the smoking ban. I wouldn’t say the price of drink is so much a factor, as it has never put people off before. And that is coming from someone who used to pay under 2 shillings a pint!!! [around 12 cents?]

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