Last orders are called on five pubs every day

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Title – Last orders are called on five pubs every day
Source – Metro
Date – 8th September 2008

It’s not really new news, but it is worse news. The number of pubs shutting continues to rise; most people within the industry already know all about the pressures.

The double whammy of higher costs and less trade is forcing those who have been on the margins to close and there seems to be no help on the horizon; rather there seems just to be more pain. The ‘credit crunch’ which is in itself bad enough, is being talked up into a storm which is making the average consumer feel even poorer than they actually are; commodity prices are going through the roof and these are being passed on to consumers and businesses alike, pubs are getting more expensive to run and regulars have less disposable income. As always, when costs go up, prices go up; when cost go down, prices stay at the inflated level. There seems to be remarkably little noise about the fact that oil has come back down to the $100 a barrel mark from near $150… or little reflection in the cost of fuel…

As for the banks they seem to have gambled and lost; or is that gambled and we all lost as our banking fees rise and service falls.

All in all it doesn’t help when the plight of pubs is ignored, with 36 a week going bust can we assume that this account for over 100 jobs a week being lost, 100 more people claiming benefits, 36 less pubs paying tax into the government’s coffers.. is this really something the government is willing to ignore or make worse through increased taxes and increased legislation?

But it is not all doom and gloom, there are still plenty of pubs making a profit and while growth in the country generally may be stagnant, the housing market faltering and bankers are being forced to struggle by on 6 figure bonuses rather than 7 figure ones…, the UK still has a vibrant economy and there is still a healthy market there for those businesses who can offer value and exemplary service to customers; but where being average used to get you by, now with anything less than excellence it is difficult to turn a profit.

To achieve and maintain excellence the first step is training and ensuring staff on all levels understand their responsibilities and your expectations. Through both bespoke training and Consultancy as well as more statutory courses such as the Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (ARAR) and the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH) we can help you meet the expectations of your customers, beat the ‘credit crunch’ and see your business grow.

Please visit our website please visit at www.btbl.co.uk