Pub closures: What is the social cost to young people?

[Cwrw666]

Getting back to the original title of the thread:
Pub closures: what is the social cost to young people?

Pubs are mostly closing because young people are no longer going to them. Err... so how can there be a social cost to them when they're the ones who are choosing not to go to pubs in the first place? The social cost is going to be to the old farts who have fewer and fewer watering holes to blow their pensions in. Maybe not a problem in towns and cities where there's always a pub on the next block but here in the country it's a different story. My nearest pub (it's a dump - **** beer) is 3 miles away, next one is 7 miles away. The one we use is 10 miles away, half an hour by car, but it's a great place though it nearly closed a couple of years ago despite being a thriving business, no-one wanted to take it on!

 

[jceg316]

I agree with @Cwrw666 that if young people aren't going to pubs then there's little social cost. Times change and attitudes change and there's more choice than ever on what to do after work or during weekends.

I don't know what the definition of you g here is, but my friendship group ranges between 26 - 32, some of us go where there's craft beer, others where there's good ambiance, others where there are activities to do etc. I don't think any of my friends will go to a traditional pub for the sake of a pub.

There's also the element of socialising. After being in an office all day forcing conversation and social interaction with a bunch of people I didn't choose to spend my time with, I don't particularly want to go into a pub and do the same thing, and most my friends agree. Also we're Londoners, we don't talk to strangers .

 

[simon12]

1 thing is its rare now for a pub to be the centre of the community more likely its a place the community sees in a negative way. In part because people travel much more and there social lives could be nowhere near where they live. I was typing a whole load more but can't get it into words.

 

[simon12]

Also to note I get a load of customers who would go to the other 3 pubs in town but mine is the only one they can find someone to talk to and don't get offered drugs.

 

[Ock Ma'Heed]

The critical word hereat is "cost". Incomes have not increased in real terms since 2008/9 .... but other costs [of living] have increased inexorably. We all complain about the cost of fuel [which currently enjoys a 'duty freeze'] .... it comes from the Middle East and needs to be extracted/transported/refined/retailed .... and costs £5.00 or so a gallon. However ... the average cost of a gallon of real ale in a Home Counties pub is currently around £40.00! Pubs have overheads [heat/light/power/maintenance and staff] ....... plus they attract hefty Business Rates too [whereas most petrol forecourts are self-serve].

I'm not suggesting that pubs should become 'self-service' [altho' it is a recurring dream I frequently have] - what I'm saying is: that with the ever increasing cost of living vis-a-vis static incomes [+ student debt etc. etc.] is it any wonder that 'sensible' kids have concluded that they can't afford this particular 'luxury'?

But it is very very sad - because we are indeed losing community watering holes/talking shops and in some instances historic structures. Further - bear in mind that most if not all of the U.K.'s most successful [or otherwise!] bands got started gigging in pubs. And ...... various Governments have trumpeted the 'UK Music Industry' as a "triumph". However - with pubs [and Clubs] folding at a frightening rate .... one wonders where future pupative bands and performers will find their venues ....... and AUDIENCES eh?

I believe that we did have a 'Minister For Pubs' ..... but I've never heard any utterances .....

 

[GerritT]

Further - bear in mind that most if not all of the U.K.'s most successful [or otherwise!] bands got started gigging in pubs. And ...... various Governments have trumpeted the 'UK Music Industry' as a "triumph". However - with pubs [and Clubs] folding at a frightening rate .... one wonders where future pupative bands and performers will find their venues ....... and AUDIENCES eh?

I believe that we did have a 'Minister For Pubs' ..... but I've never heard any utterances .....

Most new bands are pushed by Soundcloud, Apple Music and Spotify. Netflix series feature music from those artists. So they have their audiences. But it's not music I fancy.