Love your local? Help beat the crunch

12:27pm Thursday 18th September 2008

New figures show a shocking 36 pubs a week are closing as the combined effects of the smoking ban, England failing to make the Euro 2008 finals, supermarket price wars and the credit crunch make their presence felt. But reporter Sam Adams has discovered that pubs in Wanstead and Woodford are leading the fightback.

PUBS have joined community post offices on the list of endangered species.

The latest batch of gloomy statistics claim many are struggling to survive, and a survey by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) says at least ten locals in Redbridge are teetering on the brink of closure as customers spurn them for a cheaper night in front of the TV.

And those which remain are having to be ever more imaginative to tempt back trade. The Napier Arms, in Woodford New Road, has diversified the services it offers to draw in more punters, from opening a Chinese restaurant upstairs to hosting live music throughout the week.

And Mark Warely, assistant manager at The Cricketers, in South Woodford, said staff had worked hard to make the pub an attractive option for drinkers.

He said: “We are very proud of the pub, and take care over the way it looks. We have won Redbridge in Bloom for several years in a row for our flower arrangements outside, which set our pub apart.”

Carl Anderson, manager of The Railway Bell in George Lane, South Woodford, was equally positive, but said supermarket competition was having a negative impact.

He said: “We are an established community pub, and have a settled clientele.

“We are baring up pretty well at the moment, despite the economic situation and I’m pretty confident about the future. I’ve got no problems at all with competition, but there needs to be a level playing field.

“Lots of supermarkets are selling alcohol for less than cost price which we can’t compete with.”

Stuart Gillespie, manager of The Horse and Well in Woodford Green, has concentrated on pushing food sales to boost his takings.

He said: “With the smoking ban coming in you get lots more people coming in for food, which is good for business.”

But at The Duke of Edinburgh in Nightingale Lane, Wanstead, manager Daniel Stares, 27, said things were worse then they had ever been, and he feared for the future of his business.

He added: “Despite the problems we are facing, alcohol prices have still been going up and we have been given no reduction in our rent.

“Even satellite companies have put up the cost of showing matches to.

“We are a vibrant pub and an important part of the local community, but this could come to an end if things don’t start to improve.”

Pubs which belong to a chain seem best placed to survive the downturn.

At The George in Wanstead High Street, joint manager Kerry Thompson, said: “We have been doing OK despite the economic situation to be honest.

“This is a Wetherspoon’s pub and the company has fixed our prices until 2009, which means we have been able to offer competitive costs for our products.

“We are definitely an important part of the local community, with lots of older people coming in to enjoy a quiet lunch, and a chat.”

For more information on the national picture, visit camra.org.uk

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