As a business model, Wetherspoons (JDW; founded by Aucklander, Tim Martin) is similar, in some ways, to Tescos; their stock/beer is consumed well before its paid for.

Profitability is further enhanced by taking 'short dated beer' at low cost and they are one of the very few to capitalize on longer pub opening hours.

Chats by the fire in friendly village pubs (those that are not under threat) are all well and good - but pubs are there for sales and profit. Not like some people believe - as a social venue, like Post Offices !

No profit simply means extinction - as is currently the case. Many in, say, Longbridge rue their unwillingness to quickly react to the changing demands of a different world.

Erny wrote:
zooloo I have been thinking of an answer to your question. I know there's more - but the only place I can think of that has a Wetherspoon, and no McDonalds nearby, is Leatherhead.
It was Alpha's comment that the two seem to live next-door to each other that resonated because my nearest is literally next-door to McDonalds.

Glad to know there's at least one exception or I'd begin to think something's up

Look BR ...your thread has changed (a lot) since you started it; spoons are not the issue - just a very good example of the changes ahead..........been to NYC, lately ?

Yes BR... on pubs at least, your logic/view does change in a day or three 'just a little bit, mais wee'

If we are due an NYC type of nightlife then pleeeze !!

Surely haveing a UK indentity is the way forward.

I like the USA but I would not want to change the UK into a MINI ME version of the USA.

Our pubs are famous the world over. Outside London they provide a wonderful service to local communities with beer gardens and playgrounds for families and some even have post offices inside them.

City pubs do have a different purpose. But the closure of the British Pub in cities is not a good thing in my view - because it kills the chance of a conversation.

Bars usually are noisy places with harsh surfaces and music playing. They are not helpful for conversation. In fact Coffee Bars like Costa or Starbucks are possibly the only thing approaching the British Pub for conversation.

We will miss them when they are gone. We got rid of steam trains - yet 6 million a year still go on a preserved steam line train........once they are gone then we wont get them back.

BR - your nostalgia for the British pub is remarkable; it is not shared by by those of us who has stopped going to rural morgues, often frequented by chavs.

You remind me of some friends who volunteer for the National Trust and talk about the old days. Museums attract a lot of people too, just like steam trains.

Glad you have come around on JDW; try their Lodges (budget hotels). Now from Inverness to Henly and opening all the time - as part of a vibrant and constantly assessed development plan.

Do you also think Post Offices should be saved - its the only way some people can socialise !? I hope not as we - the tax payer - would have to pay for that.

Breweries, after years of taking our money with little competition, can easily afford to pay for their mistakes and lack of vision.