Another one bites the dust.....

This is one of the shut down and boarded up pubs that I drive past on my way to and from work each day.

I live 3-4 miles from work and I pass 5 closed pubs in that short distance.
One is now an Indian restaurant, one is a Family Martial Arts Centre, and the other 3 are just like this, empty and abandoned.

I chose this one because the two signs on the front are so ironic.
It must have once been a "New Inn" but not any more, and there's certainly no very warm welcome here.

Two things have contributed to the demise of this and many other hostelries. Obviously the "credit crunch" is one thing, but the rot started for many small local pubs when smoking was banned. Half the clientelle disappeared overnight and peversley many of them were non-smokers!!! In our local a group used to come to do the quiz every Thursday, every week the bald-headed bugger heading up the group would make a huge fuss spluttering, opening windows and passing loud comments about his lungs. Then the smoking ban came along....and guess what...he and his mates haven't been seen since!!!
Last Christmas we went to Barcelona and were amazed to find both smoking and non-smoking bars and restaurants. Now that's what I call a civilised country.
Don't get me wrong, I agree that people who don't smoke shouldn't have to sit in a smoke filled atmosphere, but by the same token I shouldn't have to stand outside in rain, wind, snow etc either!

There now, I bet that starts a fierce debate.....or gets me some abuse!

Das vadanya.