Pub Town!

Last week I saw an article that I personally found heart-wrenching: the possible demise of the English pub. I cannot stand for it! How many good times I recall with family and friends at these local establishments, with all their quaint charm and friendly staff.

Well, the article read that these pubs are disappearing at an alarming rate, with hundreds closing each year because of changing economics, and lifestyle! In 1982 there were nearly 68,000 pubs across the UK, dropping now to less than 50,000. This is according to the British Beer and Pub Association, and they ought to know. Pubs are under threat because many owners finding it hard to keep the doors open, seek to convert them to other uses. One owner, who owns 14 pubs in London, says he likes to restore then, and find other business uses for them if need be, including office suites, retail shops. Shame on him! Ha Ha

Still, this is part of the free enterprise system, and if something doesn't work, you look for other alternatives. Real estate, especially in the city, is worth a lot. It's sad, because pubs have been rather a meeting ground, or living room, for area residents. If nothing is going on, you go down the pub, and you are sure to see someone you know to share a brew. If nothing else, there is the bartender, who knows everyone.

But also, people's lifestyles have changed, and the local Starbuck's or Costa Coffee cafes have become fixtures around town. Indeed, they don't serve beer, but who knows what's next for them as they evolve.

And, other posh establishments abound for those who can pay for a high-tone drink, and for those who can't, they go down to the local Sainsbury Market and buy a six-pack.

The pub goes back to medieval times as the public house, or alehouse, where travelers could stop, not only for food and drink, but a bed as well. Some of the earliest inns were run by monasteries for pilgrims. By the 18th Century, the term alehouse was changed to public house, and later taverns became coffee houses (which later became stock exchanges!). From the early 1800's, we find purpose-built public houses, and be the end of the century, they sported flamboyant interiors. Some of these interiors still exist today, stain glass windows, hand-carved bars, ornate chandeliers.  

     

The 18th Century also saw a huge growth in drinking establishments because of the production of gin. Gin was brought to England by the Dutch after the Glorious Revolution of 1688, and the drink became extremely popular. By 1740, gin production increased six times to that of beer! The "gin craze" was on in full force!

Over half of the 15,000 water holes in London were gin shops. In attempts to stop the drunkenness and lawlessness, the Gin Act of 1736 imposed high taxes of retailers. This only led to street riots, so the act was abolished in 1742. The Gin Act of 1751 was more successful, forcing distillers to sell only to licensed retailers bringing these establishments under local jurisdiction. I'm leary when the government gets involved; I'm sure they were, too. But, along with drinking comes responsibility; a good time has some limits.
 

But the local pub is really a wonderful place. It is not the typical bar, but an extension of someone's home. I hope the article I read was a cautionary tale, and not something to be too concerned with. Above see the Morpeth Arms, across the street from my brother's place. Many a happy time spent there (with it's caves downstairs - the pub built over the site of the original Millbank prison! )