Pub week: Drinking dens now a thing of the past
Pubs are reinventing themselves as the focus turns to food, Jennifer Meierhans reports.
As drinking money dries up, long-serving locals have had to reinvent themselves as open-to-all eateries to stand the test of time.
Dark dingy drinking holes filled with smoke and bad language have been transformed into family-friendly home from homes.
In 1982, there were 67,800 pubs in the UK. By 2011, 50,395 were left and there is a noticeable change in those still standing.
Play areas have sprung up where smoking rooms once lurked and dart boards have made way for bookshelves.
Even the favoured fare of pork scratchings and peanuts are being passed up for portions of carvery, all-day breakfasts and pub lunches.
The widespread adoption of children's menus is testament to how the whole attitude to children in pubs has changed.
Rob Hayward of the British Beer and Pubs Association estimates up to 80 per cent of pubs now serve food.
"Children eat free", "two for ones" and meal deals mean it can be cheaper to take the kids with you rather than fork out for childcare costs.
Norrie Porter, vice-chairman of Shrewsbury and West Shropshire's branch of the Campaign for Real Ale says the new image of pubs makes them more attractive environments for families.
"The smoking ban has kept a lot of people out but it has made the atmosphere so much better – you wouldn't have taken your children to the pub 20 years ago, when you would have had to tie a handkerchief around their mouths," he said.
"Pubs have become much more family-friendly, with a nicer atmosphere, much less trouble. The quality of the welcome is better and the quality of the beer is better, too."
But there is a difference between child tolerant and child friendly pubs, as manager of The Grazing Cow in Lawley, James Divall, pointed out.
Popular chain JD Wetherspoons hit the headlines a few years back when it attempted to limit parents drinking with their children to just two alcoholic beverages.
A spokesman for the company said it did not want to encourage children to be on the premises for long periods because of a lack of play facilities.
At the time, Eddie Gershon said: "Wetherspoons is quite clear it wants children in its pubs but it's not a children's pub like Wacky Warehouse or that type of place.
"We don't want the adult staying and drinking in the pub while the child is just sitting there."
Rival chain Fayre and Square, home of the Wacky Warehouse, has jumped at the chance to welcome youngsters through its doors.
Its Bridge Builder in Telford offers a soft and safe indoor play area and as well as kids' parties from birthday meals to buffets.
The menu even offers organic baby food and little appetite friendly choices such as a mini mixed grill and alphabet-shaped pasta.
Then there's the Marston's chain which is building new pubs with enough space to keep families and adult-only parties happy under the same roof. They are typical of the modern pub that thrives today – more restaurant than bar, with families who can eat out without breaking the bank.
Marston's has plans to build – not just open – another 20 pubs this year, on the back of rising sales.
In the half year to the end of March Marston's sales rose to £358.1 million from £342.1 million at the same point a year ago, but pre-tax profit was down to £27.6 million from £33.5 million, due to higher finance costs and the harsh winter keeping customers at home.
