BarTalk

Are you worried by the current state of the economy?

John Ellis

Crown Inn

Oakengates

Shropshire

I'm not at all worried about my freehold business but the finance industry does seem to be very uncertain at the moment. I think this will have a knock-on effect on the property market. These property companies masquerading as pubcos look like they're about to get their fingers badly burned. In some ways it will be a good thing, as property prices might drop to a realistic level.

Steve Haslam

Cutter Inn

Ely

Cambridgeshire

I've just taken on a new pub and I'm about to spend £500,000 on it - so I'm not that worried. I think I would be more worried if I was in the lower end of the industry. I think there's a lot of scaremongering going on at the moment. Britain has got a strong economy at the moment - it's a temporary blip. Trade-wise I think if you've got a good-quality offer you'll have nothing to worry about.

Suzie Dreja

Royal Oak

Southampton

Hampshire

Yes, I am worried. Interest rates are going up and people are struggling with their mortgages but prices are still going up. We're going through a rocky patch at the moment but it's important to remember it is a global issue. We're worried about our trading levels, and supermarkets are selling alcohol so cheaply that people might just stay at home in the colder months.

David Dobson

The Blind Beggar

Whitechapel

London

In this area of London the economy seems to be thriving. With regard to the rest of the country, I think the Government is doing a good job, keeping everything under control. The Northern Rock situation looked like it might have been a disaster but that crisis seems to have been largely averted now. I don't like the fact that interest rates still seem to be going up, though.