Some pubs are thriving my local the kelham island tavern has just won CAMRA National Pub of the Year. The Pubco's who owmn the majority of pubs are basically property owning groups who have funded aquisitions by borrowing on the strength of property values. Now the thing is currently rental values are going down because of the credit crunch therefore how can these money grabbing b*stards increase rents. My advice is to envoke the 'Lanlord and Tenant Act' and seek advice from a qualified licensing or property solititor as I believe in this current climate licencees could actually get decreases in rent. It's worth a go.