2000 folded last year. I remember BR pointing this out last year.
A good thing too.
Pubs encourage alcohol consumption and bad behaviour.
I avoid them like the plague.
Bring back coffee shops, I say!

All my local pubs are still thriving. Like JK, I rarely go in them, but I pass by them often and see/hear the buzz.

Bring back coffee shops ?

Virtually very UK High Street has a Starbuck, Costa or a Caffe Nero....or maybe all three.

Yes pubs are dying, save for Wetherspoons who now have about 750 - in converted town centre banks, churchs, theatres etc.

In 2009, their turnover was in excess of £1B.

Although a high percentage of the Wetherspoon(JDW) turnover is alcohol related, it is debatable whether their outlets are pubs.

Opening from 9am to midnight - 1am at weekends, they serve food all day (restaurant ?), do an excellent all day breakfast (cafe ?), sell real coffee (coffee shop ?) and provide gambling/quiz machines (amusement arcade ?).

A furniture reshuffle also will produce dance floors in many at weekends (nightclub ?).

The JDW ability to tastefully convert a variety of buildings is noteworthy - from swimming pools to opera houses; the latter, in Tunbridge Wells, has a bar on the stage and still stages operas from time to time.

My idea of a "coffee shop" is more social than Starbucks and the other "fast food" types of coffee providers tend to be; like pubs, places you can sit for hours, chat, play darts, go online etc...

Hi;

I cannot recall which coffee chain services the motorways, but at about £4.00 for a coffee and Wetherspoons charging 99p for a pint of beer, something is very wrong indeed.

AH

Whilst I agree with more coffee shops being around (and we do have a great one in my local town), I do like local pubs and think it's a shame that the ones that are shutting are not the ones that do ignite trouble. Two have shut around my area, which was a great shame as they had a great reputation.

When I go into London to meet up with friends, I avoid the rowdy ones and go into the back street pubs where you can have a nice evening with lots of nice civilised people and not worry about pissed-up people coming up to you causing trouble.

Perhaps that could be a side venture for you JK, to open a coffee shop with new concepts and ideas.