News

| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(2)
LANDLORD Phil Miller
LANDLORD Phil Miller
advertisement

Landlord’s plea as pub trade slumps to new low


25/ 4/2008

A PUB landlord has become so concerned with local trade he has organised a meeting with Hyndburn’s MP.

Phil Miller, the owner of the Stanley Street Working Men’s Club, in Accrington is meeting Greg Pope today (Friday) after claims he has suffered crippling blows at the hands of the Government.

Phil said: "The smoking ban and general price increases is killing the pub trade.

"I am meeting Greg Pope because I want to know what the Government wants from the pub trade as a whole, and to tell them how it is for the people at grassroots level.

"As a pub owner I can not just walk away from the trade but the impact of these decisions are devastating. I bought this pub five years ago and at the time I had three full-time staff and eight part-time staff.

"Now I have had to let all the full-time workers go, cut my opening times by five hours and do 18 and 19-hour shifts myself just to make ends meet.

"Greg Pope needs to realise what he is representing. Accrington is becoming an area full of £1 shops and not much else."

Phil’s worries come 10 months after the Observer exclusively reported that time had been called at more than a dozen pubs throughout the borough, leaving many communities without an important focal point.

A spokesman for the pressure group Camra, the Campaign for Real Ale, said at the time of the closures: "Our research has shown that 56 pubs are lost across the UK every month and the fact that so many have closed in Hyndburn will mean that people are rapidly being deprived of the amenity of a local pub."


| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(2)


Most recent 2 of 2 user comments

   The price of beer at the pub is too expensive now to be sociable - it's like we are being forced out. With the smoking ban as well there is no reason to go to the pub to meet friends. I'd rather get 8 cans of cider for £5 at the supermarket or garage and enjoy them at home or at a mates house - where we are also allowed to smoke! We can listen to the music we want on better quality sound systems, play next generation games on HD TV or watch Blu-ray Videos, snooker or darts with no hassle. There's a better choice of real ales down at ASDA, at realistic prices and at home you get no attitude from idiotic doormen - saying you can't come in smoking, or wearing a hoodie or a cap! No wonder pubs are finding it tough. This may be paving the way for an islamic state - but I can't find any reasons to spend my time & money in a pub now.
DJ_Jaybee
1/05/2008 at 22:20
   Labour doesn't really care about pubs and people;all it's interested in is taxing people and beer to the hilt and making it unacceptable to drink.
AnthonyUK, Accrington,Lancs
28/04/2008 at 08:06
Have your say
 
Have your say Got an opinion you want to share?
Register now and have your comments heard.

Register now

Latest stories
 

 
Peel
 

Are parents to blame for the actions of children causing mayhem in Peel Ward?

100%
0%

Personal Finance
 

Customers with a 'good' credit profile
Company Typical APR
FirstPlus Exclusive Rate 6.6%
Moneyback Bank 7.6%
Alliance & Leicester 7.7%
Halifax (Semi-exclusive) 7.7%
Bank of Scotland (Semi-exclusive) 7.7%
Barclays 8.9%
Fixed Rate Bonds
Provider AER*
ICICI BANK
HiSAVE Fixed Rate Account 		7.20%
Fees may apply