Saturday evening was spent at my local pub in Brackla where I settled down to watch Wales verses France, with the faint hope of Wales clinching the Six Nations Championship following Englands’ defeat to Ireland.
While the chances of Wales achieving glory grew fainter and fainter, I was pleased that my local pub was packed full of people. Although the pub is well frequented, the obvious attraction of the rugby drew a number of additional punters in.
Some time ago, the local media had reported that the Bridgend area had witnessed a number of pub closers, which is obviously as a direct consequence of not only the difficult financial climate, but also the difficult regulatory and taxation burden put on pub landlords. I am glad to say, that many of the closed pubs have since found new landlords and they continue to draw on custom.
Behind every thriving community, there is usually a responsible landlord running a well-run pub. The pub offers a safe environment where adults can chat, meet and discuss the day’s events over a pint. Not only do pubs have social benefits, but also they provide a significant amount of income to the local economy and they employ local people.
In these difficult times, many people are turning their back on pubs and drinking cheaper alcohol from supermarkets. The increase in unregulated drinking has created a significant increase in alcohol related health problems. With this in mind, I am strongly in favour of supporting a minimum price for alcohol. It is simply no surprise to me at all, that when a certain supermarket charges as little as 20p for a can of larger, many of our pubs are calling time on trade.
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