As part of Pubs with Purpose, we want to shine a light on the importance of pubs to the communities they serve, outside of providing a pint and a meal.
At the recent MA Leaders Club event in Nottingham, The Morning Advertiser asked leading industry voices the question ‘What does a community lose when a pub closes?’
British Institute of Innkeeping boss Steve Alton said: “Simply everything. Local connections, jobs, supply chains and an amazing place for us all to come together in every single community.”
Closure impact
The Society of Independent Brewers & Associates chief executive Andy Slee highlighted the implications.
He said: “It rips the soul out of a community so people go and drink at home, they stay at home and gamble and worse still, they get dragged into the world of drug taking and things like that.
“All things are bad when a pub shuts.”
Operator of this year’s Great British Pub of the Year the Tamworth Tap, George Greenaway outlined how the community loses its identity when a pub closes its doors.
Furthermore, Cumbria-based business Drouth managing director Dianne Irving said the community loses its heart, as a result.
Sector importance
Black Country Inns chairman Angus McMeeking warned how closures risk removing one of the few places all parts of society can mix.
He said: “When a pub closes the community loses the best reason to go out and commune with every other member of society.”
Multiple operator Blind Tiger Inns boss Chris Tulloch emphasised the unique role pubs play in bringing people together for life’s biggest moments.
He said: “Nobody ever celebrates a birthday, marriage or a death with a coffee or a game of padel, do they?”
- Do you go above and beyond for your community? We want to hear from you. Let The Morning Advertiser deputy editor Nikkie Thatcher know at nikkie.thatcher@wrbm.com or on 01293 610388.
