Ian Burdon has the best point so far I think - but here's another.

On the smoking ban - I'm sick and tired of Landlords appearing in our local newspaper whingeing because those with a legal drug habbit can't spread their stinking fag smoke around the bars any more. Just an excuse?

So - a better suggestion as to why many pubs have closed: TV sport.   

Various money grabbing publicans saw the golden screen as the big profit spinner. So they kicked out the folk session, the dominos players, closed the darts area, scared away all the other "microgroups" who dropped into the pub on one particular night a week for a quiet chat, game of chess or a laugh with their mates.

Soon ANY night of the week could now be overtaken by crowds of punters watching a big match so you couldn't hold any sort of interesting civilised gettogether in that bar any more on a regualar basis.

And the punters of course - they nearly all clear off after the final whistle. But thats late enough to have wrecked the evening for any microgroup - so they don't go any more. The consequence? - no big match tonight >>> empty pub.

Lastly - how about folkies buying pubs? Given the age group and life position of many folkies - now could be the time to buy cheap - and do a whole local community a great service.

Ian Fyvie