11:40am Thursday 30th April 2009
THEY were once bustling social spots, but now they are ghostly buildings.
Last orders have been called for good in 19 Swindon pubs over the past four years, as the beer industry starts to dry up.
The latest figures from market research company CGA Strategy says the number of pubs in Swindon and north Wiltshire fell from 314 in 2005 to 295 earlier this year.
The Adver discovered pub after pub boarded up on a tour of the Swindon area.
The pub signs are the only reminder of their vibrant past.
Pubs, which appear to now be history include, in Swindon: The Falcon in Westcott Place, Pickle Johns in Wood Street, the Globe in Eastcott Road, the Ice Bar in Bridge Street, and, most recently, O’Neills, in Fleet Street.
Outside Swindon, also closed are: The Shepherd’s Rest, in Foxhill, The Beaufort Arms in Wootton Bassett, The Fishes and The White Horse Inn in Highworth .
The Adver attended a launch event for the Ghost Train in Purton in 2007, but now the building has been turned into to flats.
Landlady of the Bakers Arms in Emlyn Square, Kay Gould, said her business is struggling because of rising utility bills.
She said: “A lot of pubs are closing down. It is not only down to the smoking ban causing problems, as heating and electricity has gone up. The weather isn’t helping but in the summer people won’t mind going out for a cigarette. All we can do is keep going and provide as much entertainment as possible. It is more difficult to keep the pub warm as people keep going in and out for a cigarette.”
Landlord Robert Feal-Martinez, of the Carpenter’s Arms in South Marston, who believes the smoking ban has crippled pubs, said a unique British tradition was under threat.
“Without question the type of pubs that have closed have been traditional smokers’ pubs,” he said.
“Smoking and drinking go together. If you lose 30 per cent of your customer base that is bankruptcy.
“People seek out rural pubs and it is these type that are closing. They traditionally attract overseas visitors from American and Japan.
“It will get to the point where the only pubs left will be part of Wetherspoons or other big chains.
“There will be very few rural pubs left.
Bill Bendall, of the Swindon Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) said high rent often makes it difficult for pub landlords to make a living.
“Camra is opposed to any pub closing,” he said. “Country pubs are often the only focus of a community and with shops closing – there is nothing left.
“Pubs are somewhere for people to go. It is a focus for the community and somewhere for people to meet.
“It is very rare to have a proper freehold. We need more of them.
“Pubs are being charged ridiculous rent and it makes it very hard.”
Camra spokesman Jon Howard added the Great British pub was “under threat”, with almost six pubs closing in the UK every day.
“We believe a National Beer Day would help to promote and protect pubs, cask ale, and successful brewers such as Arkell’s in Swindon and Wadworth in Devizes, which are wonderful examples of our rich brewing heritage,” he said.
A Parliamentary motion, signed by 202 MPs including North Wiltshire’s James Gray, points out that beer sales in pubs are at their lowest level for nearly 40 years, and says politicians are “deeply concerned” about the future of 7,500 pubs that support more than 40,000 jobs.
The early day motion adds: “Traditional public houses are being unfairly priced out of the market while supermarkets offer cheap deals without the level of restrictions and responsibilities required of licensees of public houses.”
The MPs call on the Government to axe plans to increase beer tax, to end the “irresponsible” promotion of alcohol, and to support the British pub as a “vital part” of social life in local communities.
Mr Gray said: “Certainly in rural areas, and to a good extent in towns as well, the pub, alongside the village school, hall, church and post office are the hub of the local community, and when any are moved or destroyed, as is happening at the moment, the centre is weakened”.
The MP, who said Wadworth’s 6X was his drink of choice, added: “I’m a great believer of beer 365 days in the year - in modest quantities.”
Some pubs are fighting back. At the beginning of the year JD Wetherspoon, which has several pubs in Swindon, cut the price of a pint to 99p.
Other pubs are relying on gourmet food to bring in the punters or providing entertainment, such as live music.
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