my article

[Rincewind]

I started doing an article for Citizens Eye today. I did it in long hand then typed it out in Wordpad on my laptop. Basically it was entitled Real ale pubs vs non real ale pubs.

I was saying some of the recent unrests may be attributed to the loss of community/estate pubs and cheap supermarket booze. I went on to put the case for the real pubs against the non real ones. I mentioned this to the landlord of The Pub (I did the work there) and he put forward a different viewpoint which sort of made sense and my article obsolite. He said there was no difference as pubs were a meeting place but agreed that supermarkets were forcing people out of pubs.

I have reworded it in a draft. Too tired to type it out now. I will post tn both versions but what I need is the name of some pubs that have closed down over the last 5-10 years to illustrate my point.

I said these local pubs were a meeting place where games like darts and dominoes were played and you could meet your neighbour and maybe resolve any problems in the neighbourhood. I know a few names were mentioned in the Erles Monsell thread. I saw recently where The beamont Leys is closing down and being turned into a care home or something. I used to work near there and for a few years we used to go in there after finishing work for the Xmas break. Used to live on the Stocking Farm Estate too. Not many pubs in that area so with the BL ging it wont be good for locals that like to go out.

Anyway if I get a few names that would help. I can then rework the article over theweekend I'll post both and get opinions about them.

[accessory]

Was actually in the Pub last night - and was concerned about how quiet it was, especially on a Friday.

[Zingari]

To my mind the one single factor that changed the face of the pub , was the introduction of the pool table in the 70's .

it changed them into little more than youth clubs with booze .

many traditional pub goers no longer felt comfortable in these surroundings and the relaxing atmosphere of many pubs disappeared .

edit;

it's just an opinion and i can't back it up with any hard evidence

[Rincewind]

I have two versions. For the second one I want to include some pubs that have closed in the last 5-10 years. Just enough to make up the word count required.

REAL ALE PUBS VS NON-REAL ALE PUBS

By

Ken P Duddle

For many years binge drinking has been blamed for the breakdown in society by both politicians and health experts. Cheap and cut-price six-packs as well as City centre pubs and alcohol in general have been the targets.

But can pubs that sell micro brews and real ale be put into the same

category? I believe not. But they are suffering with the closure of pubs at an alarming rate because of government clampdowns and high tax duties. What are the differences between real ale and non-real ale pubs?

Non-real ale pubs located in City Centres often cater for the young drinker, offering drinks at 2 for 1 and free shots or chasers with the intention of a quick in and out trade at the greatest profit. The ales offered are often limited to one or two keg beers of poor quality as well as ice cold lager. On the other hand the case for the real ale pubs is that they have a varied clientèle of all ages and sexes.

The aims of the real ale landlord/lady is to offer a greater choice of ales

from the county of Leicestershire as well as all over England and sometimes overseas beers. The customers like a friendly atmosphere where they can talk in a relatively quiet environment where they can discuss other passions such as buses or trains. They discuss ales they have tried and recommend their favourites. Often the pubs put on festivals and welcome visitors from outside the county of Leicester. This is all done in a friendly atmosphere with no trouble apparent in or outside the premises. Real ale 'tickers' travel far and wide to find the perfect ale.

I believe that the closure of many pubs in trouble areas can affect

the communities where they where based. The local pub used to be the place where one could meet with neighbours, play a game of darts or dominoes and resolve problems in the area.

In conclusion I feel that the real ale pub plays a vital part in insuring that community spirit survives.

[Rincewind]

Version two

255 words

COMMUNITY PUBS AND THEIR ROLE IN SOCIETY

By

Ken P Duddle

For many years binge drinking has been blamed for the breakdown in society by both politicians and health experts. Cheap cider, cut-price six-packs as well as many City centre pubs and alcohol in general have been the targets.

But can pubs that serve the community be put in the same catagory as supermarkets that undercut them on prices? I believe not. But they are suffering with the closure of pubs at an alarming rate because of government clampdowns and high tax duties. What benefits do community pubs have over supermarkets?

The local pub can be a place where you are able to meet and socialise, have a game of darts or dominoes, discuss interests such as buses or trains and maybe resolve local problems. Some pubs may specialize in micro brews and real ale, putting on festivals that attract customers from across the county and often further afield. Tickers travel far and wide in search of the perfect pint.

What we have now is a situation where supermarkets can buy and sell

cheaply, not being liable for the same level of taxes that breweries face and as a result many people are drinking at home, affecting the livelihood of many a publican. In Leicester alone in the past 5-10 years we have seen the closure of several pubs that were regularly used by residents living nearby.

In conclusion I feel that the local pub plays a vital part in insuring

that community spirit survives.

[Zingari]

you should change your name to P Duddy

[Daggers]

Pubs closing is a symptom not a cause of societal change.

[Rincewind]

Going to need about 45 words to complete. Maybe pubs that were on the estates with reputations. The reputation of the pubgoers may have been the reason they shut down but to highlight that aspect of it is not my aim for this. I want to illustrate that pubs in general can bring people together and you actually know the name of the person that lives next door.

[Rincewind]

I'm not saying that closures are the cause My point is there is less social intercourse (as opposed to the other kind) without them In this artical I was trying to focus just on Leicester as the Citizens Eye deals with local issues.

[Rincewind]

I have tried googling for a list of closed pubs in the last 5-10 yers. Not coming up with anything. What I am looking for is maybe two or three from about 5 areas. Just the ones closed in the last 10 years better if its five years. That should take me up to around 300 words on the second one. Got untilTuesday. but would like to get some opinions off people I know.

[Trav Le Bleu]

The Meadowbank, The Firs and The Bell in Wigston all closed in the last five years. Though in the Meadowbak is now an Indian restaurant - so still kind of a meeting place, but maybe not quite so social. Also, in the same time period, The Bell Fountain opened (and put the Bell out of business probably, by being just as scuzzy.)

[Guest lcfc80]

loads have shut round braunstone i think, well someone at work was moaning about it. That one thats now a KFC on narborough road amd the thomas cook that was on narborough rd

the Wyvern in town also springs to mind, pump and tap to but that was more development based.

Round my way most of the traditional pubs havent actually shut but turned into Indians or Chinky's

[Guest lcfc80]

The Meadowbank, The Firs and The Bell in Wigston all closed in the last five years. Though in the Meadowbak is now an Indian restaurant - so still kind of a meeting place, but maybe not quite so social. Also, in the same time period, The Bell Fountain opened (and put the Bell out of business probably, by being just as scuzzy.)

was the bell the first on the left on the high street ? which ever pub that was i went in one weekday morning about 11.30 am for a couple of pints and it was full of tramps . i had to stay for an extra pint as people watching whilst stood at the bar was so funny

[Rincewind]

Thanks I will have to check em out. Googled the Invincible found a website where its listed still. No information about it though. It says 'The landlord has not submitted any information.' Also a Lib Dem site where someone removed a cararvan and a piece about the fire.

I was looking for the history date opened/date closed (year). Google 'closed Leicester pubs' but it lists up to date ones.

[FoxesAreBlue]

The Meadowbank, The Firs and The Bell in Wigston all closed in the last five years. Though in the Meadowbak is now an Indian restaurant - so still kind of a meeting place, but maybe not quite so social. Also, in the same time period, The Bell Fountain opened (and put the Bell out of business probably, by being just as scuzzy.)

I have detested the Bell Fountain since the sorry day it opened it's doors - I doesn't know if it's a pub or a restaurant - there's no separate bar and restaurant area in there it's all just mixed in together - I don't know if they still leave the cutlery out on the tables there but I would never use it because you know for a fact that some chav had been playing with it earlier on

[Rincewind]

or stabbed his 14 yr old GF when told shes up the duff. -again.

Doesn't seem the type of place I would class as a community pub.

Probably pricey too. I would rather eat at home.

At least if I have a dirty fork I will know it's my own dirt..