Quote Originally Posted by NickDavies View Post
‘People don’t go out’: the town where half the pubs have vanished

https://www.theguardian.com/business...urn-lancashire
The problem isn't just Wetherspoons but more the blinkered policies of the large pubcos, ie sell rubbish beer and rely on TV screens to bring in the punters. The price difference between JDWs and "proper" pubs in the Midlands and North is far smaller than it is in London where it can be as much as £2.00 a pint or more. Another factor is unemployment, these Pennine towns have lost all their manufacturing industry and the transport links are pretty rubbish which deters anyone from going to work in the nearest major town or city.
I'm pretty sure that the financial crisis ten years ago hit these places much harder than the South and if the Swivel Eyed Loonies get their way they are in for another massive hit.