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Save Our Pubs

I'd say sign me up but its too late for me, all my favourite pubs have long gone. It got so bad that I stopped drinking because I didn't want to drink in these plastic pubs.

Cheers,

pmc1947
 
I see from a Reader's Letter in tonight's Birmingham Mail that two pubs in Harborne - The Vine and the Golden Cross are to be demolished to make way for block of flats.
 
That's sad news Sylvia. So many have gone already. I hope that some of the
premier ones can be saved.
 
Two pics of Cleary's in different guises on the corner of Lombard St. and Cheapside.Demolished in July 2008.Ex.Rose and Crown.
 

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How about the Prince Rupert.I took these in Oct.2000 but alas all gone now. In the good (bad?)old days we used to go in there on Friday night and come out early Monday morning just before the delivery.My friend was a mate of the gaffer and used to play jazz and blues there almost every weekend.Usually just a scratch band,but what a scratch band.When we had had enough we used to crash out on the bench seats.I even have a record that my friend made called Sunday night at the Prince Rupert.
 

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Me again.A pic of the Eagle Vaults on the corner of Oozles Street and Oozles Street North taken many years ago and not in use then and eventually demolished for the I.C.C.
 
thanks for the pics bob. far to many of our pubs are biting the dust. at this rate we will have none left at all. wales.
 
Ta for the answer.Wales.I have quite a large collection of pics of pubs and factories that I have taken over a number of years.I was going to do a book but some years back my wife and my (supposedly)best friend did the dirty on me and I totally lost interest.As of late,thanks to my kids,I have started up again but of course it is too late now because it has all been done and published.I will now,if I have the photos that anyone wants,put them on the site because I get so much pleasure from it and I have also learned so much from it.BobS.:)
 
ahh bob. sorry you didnt realise your ambition at that time but its never to late to continue and as you say with support from your children you can now give great pleasure and also receive it from posting your pics on this great site. you sound a bit like me. i just love collecting photos as i always think that they bring our history alive. it also gives me great satifaction to post pics that other members want. keep up the good work. lyn:)
 
Not quite Birmingham ..But..
Time Called on Local Pubs


The Community Pub Foundation will help people save locals like those in Lichfield.

Around 26 pubs in the UK are being closed down each month, research by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) suggests.

It says many such pubs are turned into homes or demolished, and CAMRA has now launched the Community Pubs Foundation in an attempt to protect others.
It says the loss of a community pub can have a negative impact on the "local
economy, community and tourism" .
CAMRA surveyed local authorities to find out how many pubs were being demolished or converted.

Restaurants
Some were turned into restaurants, offices or shops. More closures CAMRA said that in 2000 about 20 pubs a month were being closed, but the situation had since worsened.
It said that on top of the pub closures, 438 pubs across England, Wales and Scotland remain closed and are facing an uncertain future.
CAMRA chief executive Mike Benner said pubs provide a safe environment for friends and family to relax and enjoy each
other's company.

"We ask those who are seeking to demolish a pub or convert a pub for financial gain to pause and spare a thought for the effect this will have in the local community," he said.
CAMRA's survey found:
•Eight of 10 closed pubs were demolished or converted into houses •Only 12% of those who visit pubs prefer a town centre themed pub.
084% of those who visit pubs prefer a country pub or community local.

Numbers
Visitors to Great British Beer Festival in London Olympia were being asked to support the Community Pubs Foundation.

Caroline Nodder, editor of trade magazine The Publican, said pub numbers in Britain fluctuate around the 60,000 mark, but it was the 'classic, traditional, community pubs" which had been hit.

"It is down to many reasons, an increase in red tape, more legislation and overheads are higher than they used to be," she said.

"Also the local village pub is not getting regular trade like it used to as in a lot of cases there is not the same village community or people are choosing to go into town more.

"It is really sad because they are such a symbol of British life and is one of the first things tourists think about life here."
 
thanks for that mike. after reading that it just makes me sadder.:cry: at this rate we will all be teetotal. wales.
 
bob. it is you thats coming to the 60s night isnt it. ive just got down bob on me list. think i forgot to put the s on. lyn
 
I agree with Frothy :) we do need to do something... so many pubs have closed then been subject to mysterious fires:shh::rolleyes: while they are waiting to get someone to run them:confused:.. this is part of our history..soon there will be none left
 
If you really are concerned why don't you all get together and discuss buying/renting a small public house somewhere in Aston which could be used for more than just drinking. ( Or you could proposition an already existing landlord ) The first thing that comes to my mind is a live museum where folks from other climbs.. ie... abroad can visit and enjoy the company of the Brummie as well as a drink you could install a computer full of information to the visitor and if you play your cards right get sponsorship which i am almost sure would be forthcoming. Just a thought...Cat
 
cheers bob i thought it was you. see you there. cat thats a great idea i wonder if it will happen. you never know lyn:)
 
First we ALL need to use the pubs, it's no good expecting them to be there if they are not being used.:cry:
Second we need to encourage long termism in business instead of the current short term approach of making a 'fast buck' whithout looking at the damage done to communities by losing what was originally the focus, where everyone would meet, discuss, argue, agree to differ and all go back home the better for it. I remember the first time I went to the pub and the pride on my Dads face when he introduced me to his mates there, this will be denied to the next generation if we don't do something about it!
Third we need to change the decision of the current Government who have decided that the duty on beer will increase again annually for the next 3 years which will sound the death knell for all except the trendy, unfriendly, wine bar type pubs where the majority of the binge drinking takes place.
 
A MIDLAND pub has been put up for sale for £1 – less than half the cost of a pint.

Wannabe landlords are being offered the chance to purchase The Great Western in Acocks Green, Birmingham, at the rock-bottom price.

Current owner Enterprise Inns initially set a £10,000 purchase figure on the three-storey boozer, but failed to attract any offers.

Now in a desperate bid to entice a new leaseholder during the credit crunch, the company has dropped the price to a rock-bottom £1.

But the incredible figure may be too good to be true. Because any buyer would have to pay extra for furniture and contents – as well as beer and rent to the landord.

Bridgette Wayre has been landlady at the Yardley Road boozer off and on for more than seven years.

And she said she was not surprised Enterprise Inns had gone to such extreme lengths to secure a sale of the pub which she admitted needed some refurbishment.

“They’ve been trying to sell it for a while, but I think they have struggled because of the credit crunch,’’ she said.

“Yet it’s a good pub with a lot going for it, even if it does need a bit of refurbishing.

“I’ll stop here until they find someone to take the place on. The customers reckon I’ve made more comebacks than Arnold Schwarzenegger. They are fed up of buying me leaving presents!”

New figures from the British Beer and Pub Association show 211 Midland boozers closed in the second half of 2008 which, at a rate of eight per week, is the highest number in any UK region.

The Great Western regulars hope their pub, which boasts a large lounge and separate bar, will not be next and that a new leaseholder can be found.

Computer programmer Simon Britton, 40, from Acocks Green, said: “At the moment they are almost trying to give pubs away because they are not doing very well.

“Enterprise Inns are probably offering the £1 sale to attract attention as a publicity stunt.”

Caroline Mannay, 33, from Acocks Green, said: “Lots of people have tried to buy the pub but what they (the management) do is push up the beer prices and then the rent.”

Tim Moriarty, a 32 year-old builder from Acocks Green, has been a regular since he was 18.

“I would be devastated if it closed,” he said.

“It’s a real community pub where everybody knows everybody.”

Keith Gordon is operations manager with London Town Pubs and finds suitable new tenants for breweries and property companies.

He blamed the Government for the slump in the drinks industry and the subsequent profit pressures placed on landlords and leaseholders.

Mr Gordon said: “The smoking ban has had a dramatic impact on the industry and the taxation of alcohol is increasing prices.

“All this is conspiring to make it very difficult for pubs and licensees and the Government is doing nothing to help.

“People spend more time at home now and the binge drinking we see is down to cheap booze that can be bought in supermarkets.

“In this instance, the Great Western would be better as a lease or tenancy.

“But whoever purchases it will need a bit more than £1. The furniture needs replacing, there’s a rent deposit and stock to be bought on the day they go in, legal costs and some working capital.

“Realistically you can get in for potentially £10,000 to £20,000.”

No-one from Enterprise Inns was available to comment. Cheers Len.

Also in The Sun with pictures https://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2239823.ece
 
While these pub owners blame every one else for the demise of the industry, they fail to mention that new lease holders are not free to search the market to obtain the cheapest deals on beer to sell on at reasonable prices,but HAVE to buy the beer from them at inflated prices. Hence the exspensive prices we have today.
 
There is a new pub opened around Christmas time on Warwick Road by Zorbas the greek restaurant opposite Lincoln Road called Casey Joes , and it's not a weatherspoons pub . I believe it's owned by the same people who own the Maggies Bernie
 
Its owned by the family who owned the Boundary club were Zorbas is now. Thier name escapes me at the moment.
 
Len in your article it mentions the smoking ban has had a dramatic impact,the smoking ban was brought in to protect the staff...elf and safety...so why did not they put a separate room for smokers,who had to another bar to fetch their drinks instead of them going out side like lepers to have a smoke,i for one who is a smoker have stopped going to pubs for that reason,its a different story in the summer:(

Mau-reece
 
Hi Mossy i smoke to and rarely bother to go to a pub now i really object to paying for my beer and then having to go outside in all weathers for a ciggie but unfortunately i can't see the powers that be relaxing this ban and i'm afraid that pubs bingo halls and the like will be left to pick up the tab Bernie
 
Bernie you are correct in what you are saying i am of the same opinion:)...Mau-reece
 
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