One of my favourite pubs is struggling. It's the only pub in the village, has a great landlord and family running it, and used to be a real community pub, but he's a tenant (Courage), and therefore has to pay vast amounts to the brewery, and can't afford to bring his prices down. The upshot is that all the village youngsters go into the nearest town because they can drink more cheaply there whilst still being with their mates (so not because they're drinking at home). Free houses have a lot more freedom to bring down prices and get there beer, etc. cheaper than this pub can from the brewery. And if anyone has to compete with Wetherspoons, they haven't got a chance!

Barbara