The explanation that you are looking for is "pubcos". Exhorbitant rents, tied beer puchasing at huge markups etc. For example - firkin of ale from wholesaler £81, same firkin through Enterprise Inns £123. Ian, the ex landlord of the Sun, had an offer of Barnsley Bitter direct from the brewery at £45 but he is tied to buying through Enterprise or he loses his pub for breaking the contract.

The breweries lose out, the licensees lose out, the customers lose out and the pubco takes a huge profit in the middle for doing nothing.

R