Bars and the UK Economy (Perhaps its time to Panic)

The state of the global economy is in bad shape. This has had a massive knock-on effect to the UK Bar and Pub scene and the trend is likely to reshape the Bar and Pub industry all over the world, simply because the profit of property looks more valuable to a landlord than the profit of alcohol. Changes in the budget for 2008 have also pushed up the price of Spirits, Beer, Wine and Cider in the UK with many venues now charging an average £3 a pint (up around £1 in the last 5 years).

As a result it has been rumoured that the Ember Inn chain is going under, with two neighbouring venues in North london closing before the summer of 2008. The Black Bull of Whetstone has already closed down and the Arkley in Arkley is preparing to shut up shop. Furthermore the Slug and Lettuce chain has been crushed by the hard-economic situation, this week seeing the closure of the Ealing branch. Independent bars which I have not yet had to opportunity to publish reviews for (though I have visited) have shut down let and right all over london and the hayday of cheap drinks, happy hours and gems may have all died. Only yesterday I was horrified to discover that B@1 bar had closed in Covent Garden. One of our readers has pointed out correctly that this bar is still going strong (see comments below).
 If you are aware of any other large chain going under or independents that have been forced to close as a result of difficult times please play tribute to them in the comments section below so that they can their legacy can at least remain on the internet through such troubled times.

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