It's Not a Hoax, Pub Life IS in Danger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay... ... ...don't panic, but IT'S TRUE!!! PUBS ARE CLOSING DOWN! Whyyyyyyyyyy?

In all seriousness, this really is detrimental to society. As I discussed in a previous post, pub culture is such a big part of European (especially British) life, that its downfall would pretty much cause every individual to plummet into a deep depression. But wait, is that necessarily true? How are people really responding to this? What's causing the meltdown?

First, I'll answer the latter question. The problem is evident: Britain, like the rest of the world, is experiencing a recession. Not only are people being laid off right and left, but according to an article by Martin Hickman, Consumer Affairs Correspondant, pubs are closing at a rate of 36 per week! Why? Drinkers are opting to buy cheaper alchohol for at-home consumption.

I, personally, can understand this. I went to a few pubs pretty routinely within the first two weeks of my arrival here in London, but after realizing that a) pub prices were breaking my bank account, and b) I could pay the same amount in a convenience store and stock my cabinet for weeks, I decided to ditch the pubs and opt for option B. I mean, it only makes sense, right?

With pubs closing at a rate 9 times faster than they did in 2006, you would think that Londoners would be concerned that their way of life is crashing before their eyes. However, I'd argue that this recession has made people feel as if only the most important aspects of life should be valued...what's the purpose of having a 'cultural activity' around if one can never afford to participate? I believe that more and more, people find themselves admiring the free parks and elaborate buildings contructed by Great Exhibition funds to gain a sense of culture and pride.

Are they wrong? Perhaps if people in America did what many Londoners are forced to do and quit driving the massive SUVs simply because it has become mainstream American pop-culture, we'd be in a better economic and eco-friendly state of affairs now.

Here's another idea: perhaps Londoners just aren't worried. I mean, there are over 8,000 pubs in London alone...what's 36 pubs a week for two years? Do the math, and you should have an approximate closing of about 3744 pubs. Now, that seems like a lot, but even if this trend continued every week for another two years (highly unlikely), London would STILL have over 4,000 pubs to choose from... ... ...

I wouldn't be worried, either.