Pub Closures

Wolverhampton, Tipton and Brierley Hill are amongst the worst cities and towns hit by pub closures in the Black Country. With 30 pubs in Wolverhampton closing in the past 4 years and 13 more pubs closing this year in and around the city, as well as 5 pubs closing in Brierley Hill and 4 in Tipton so far this year.

(A map showing the above mentioned places)

CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) say that the closures are due to the increase in beer tax, which means that consumers are buying direct from supermarkets. Consumers are doing this because the equivalent of 4 pints can be purchased for under £5 opposing pub prices which are almost £3 a pint (this excludes Wetherspoons). 

Another issue facing public houses is that many are run by companies such as punch taverns and enterprise, which do not allow their licensees to buy direct from breweries. All licensees must buy from their company, which put a considerable mark up on buying prices, meaning that the price to the consumer is increased.

Licensees agree that in the future there will not be the number of public houses there used to be, but a smaller number of well run, quality operations that offer good service and value for money. 

The licensee of The Foresters Arms Dave Evans agrees with this saying “We are very lucky here to be a community pub and have the support of all our regulars, in these uncertain times we are very fortunate, but it’s all down to hard work and continually aiming for a higher standard of service for consumers.”