Many are ignorant over pub industry
Tuesday 7th July 2009, 12:51AM BST.
Letter: The comments of R Richards in his “Pub is the big loser” (Letters, June 27) only underlines the lack of understanding that many people have about the declining pub industry.
He implies that the price they were charged for a half of beer and half of cider was unjustifiably expensive.
As a publican for some 20 years, I know many people still think that running a pub is a licence to print money. Why then do we have an unprecedented rate of pub closures – some 50 per week?
His £2.90 pint works out at £2.52 after VAT is deducted. The cost to buy that pint from a landlord (because most pubs are tied on beer purchases) is about £1.40, which leaves the publican with a gross profit of £1.12 to pay his staff wages, rent, business rates, light, heat, bank charges etc.
How many people like R Richards does the publican have to serve to make a net profit?
A hell of a lot.Ê
Then he also has to worry about regulation – health and safety, minimum pay, holiday pay etc.
Then there is the competition from supermarkets.
So go on R Richards, have your moan without checking the facts, but remember this, the Bull might have lost your trade on this occasion but the real big loser in the long run will be everyone when all the country pubs are closed.
If you really want to do something positive, contact your MP.
Kim Davies, Shrewsbury
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