Pub closures – a sobering reality?

Call for action: Cheap drinks have been blamed for the drop in traditional pub sales

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An “alarming” number of pubs have been forced to close down across the borough, causing fears that the traditional pub culture is dwindling away.

Sobering new statistics have revealed that, since June 2005, 34 bars across Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton have been forced to call last orders for the final time.

The Gale Inn, Whitworth Road, was demolished to make way for flats, while the Citizen (Drake Street), the Church Inn (Castleton), the George and Dragon (Castleton) and the Queens (Milkstone Road) are among the huge number of favoured pastime which have shut shop.

Landlords are convinced that cheap supermarket alcohol and the presence of large chain bars are the main reasons for the declining pub culture.

But Simon Crompton, who runs The Baum, Toad Lane, claims business is booming as long as the right service is given.

He said: “Lots of local bars have been closed down because they have a problem with violence or drugs, and they are often the ones which stay open late and sell cheap drinks.
“We offer a good quality service and we are known for that, which is one of the reasons we’ve remained successful”.

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen, who signed an Early Day Motion calling for more support for the towns pubs, said: “Our pubs provide many jobs for us here in Rochdale.

“The Government seems intent on increasing the burden on pubs with a raft of red tape and tax increases.

“Showing support for our pubs is important and I will be sending out a survey to every pub in Rochdale asking them to identify any specific issues they would like me to take up with the Government.

Castleton Councillor Peter Davidson said: “I believe that our local pubs are important symbols of the British way of life. They are part of our history and heritage and are hugely important to the communities they serve.

"Only last week I was sad to see the Farewell Inn in Castleton closing its doors in our community”.