A COMBINATION of the rising cost of living, the smoking ban and cheap supermarket alcohol has led to several pubs closing in the area, whilst others fight to survive.
The Plough and The Drovers Call in Gainsborough now stand empty as does the Ship pub in Saxilby, but the story seems to be different from place to place.
Gainsborough’s Pubwatch chairman Tracey Benson says smokers are complaining about not being a
ble to smoke in the area’s pubs, but says it is only in the winter months when it becomes a real problem.
”The ban has affected trade,” said Tracey. ”People will stay at home, especially when we have bad weather.”
“I talk to drinks’ reps a lot and they report they see around 10 less customers than they used to, all in this past year.”
Others admit the smoking ban has been bad for business since it came in a year ago, as is cheap drink sold by supermarkets.
“The ban is taking at least £200-£300 a week out of our takings,” said Ben Langdale, landlord at the Eight Jolly Brewers in Gainsborough.
“And cheap booze sold by supermarkets definitely ties in with it.”
“I know of one family in Misterton who have set up a ‘bar’ in their own home. Thankfully, we have got a niche range of specialist beers that you won’t see elsewhere on sale, which helps to attract customers and stop them going elsewhere.”
Another town pub is also experiencing a dip in trade.
“Trade has gone down here a little, we had a few customers who used to come in a lot and they’ve not been in for a while,” said Amanda Smith, manager of the White Hart Hotel.
“It’s a combination of things – with household bills going up, perhaps people haven’t got as much money to go out with.”
Not all landlords feel the same however.
