Calling time

Paul Barltrop Politics Show West BBC West

Pubs are closing at record rates - and many publicans are blaming the government.

They are at the heart of many communities, especially in the rural West country.

But years of gradual decline have accelerated - on average four close each day.

The British Beer and Pub Association estimates we have lost 12,000 since 1980.

"It's the sheer rate of closure that's hit us," says spokesman Richard Matthews.

"Last year 1400 pubs closed in this country."

The causes of closure

Village pubs are feeling the pressure.

Many publicans blame the government. British beer is already the highest taxed in Europe.

The chancellor's budget raised duty on beer by 4p, which has led to a campaign to ban him from pubs.

But taxation is only one problem among many for an industry that has been shrinking for years.

At The George, in the village of Kempsford near Swindon, they are feeling the pressure.

"I've been at it 25, 30 years," explains landlord Roy Sansum.

"You suddenly think my goodness this is amazingly expensive now."

Changing trends

Landlord Roy Sansum: "amazingly expensive"

Over the decades public houses and drinking habits have changed enormously. Keeping up with the trends is not easy.

"The biggest change is that there's a lot more things for youngsters to do," says Roy Sansum.

"I'm certain they all have their home entertainment, their video games, and they sit at home a lot more than going out."

Arkells of Swindon are a family run brewers established in 1843, who pride themselves on looking after their landlords. They're being hit as much as everyone.

Rising costs

James Arkell: Huge problems caused by the smoking ban.

The firm's Managing Director lists the price increases that the brewery has faced in recent times - everything from barley to gas supplies has leapt up.

"The smoking ban was a huge problem, is a huge problem," complains James Arkell sitting at the bar of the George.

"And then of course there was 4p on tax to stop problems in the town centres. Well you know, here we are in a country pub, it's not an issue."

Time for another budgetary u-turn?

Join Jon Sopel and David Garmston on BBC One at 12:00 GMT, Sunday 18 May 2008 ...or click the latest programme button at the top of this page.

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