The publican's lament

A lockdown pub, Bucks, March 2020

What have our governments got against the drinks industry? If I were a publican or pub worker I would be puzzled, and angry. It seems that their contribution to the nation’s well being - and its economy - are not worth worrying about. And yet, before the year of stop tap, the beer and pub industry - 48,000 pubs employing 895,000 earned £22 billion for the UK coffers. 

Now it is a neglected industry, and how much more neglected can you be than the Welsh government’s ban on them selling beer.

The first sign of revival will probably come within the next fortnight, but even that is half hearted - outdoor drinking only - and it will be another month or so before our pubs echo again to chatter and clinking glasses.

To add to the publican’s lament, there is the continued frustration of seeing favoured, profit boosting supermarkets, allowed to sell cheap beer and other spirits.

They have, sensibly, spent heavily to keep their customers safe but so too have pubs yet their doors are still closed.

We have not stopped drinking during lockdown. Far from it. We can drink at home from morning till night, whatever our tipple.

Research suggests that pubs are not a danger and the industry feels it is being victimised and that hundreds more pubs are threatened with calling last orders.

Excessive drinking is a danger to the health of the imbiber and, these days, to the public if it is gets out of control, but the pub is still one of the most sociable places to visit and enjoy

So, if you enjoy a drink, pop into one as soon as they open and help get the industry back on its feet.

I will drink to that.