Hi Justin - good to see you (we met recently at the Royal Oak in Lewes - the fellow Larrivée owner).

One of the things I've noticed in travelling around bits of the country over the last few months is that the pub closures appear to be spread unevenly over the country, and that the spread of folk activity is similarly very different. Whether these two circles overlap in a convenient Venn diagram, I couldn't say. In my own area of Sussex, folk-ish activity is very active, with opportunities to listen and play every night of the week within a reasonable driving distance. Not so in other parts of the country.

You might want to try and attempt a regional "map" of these things, though it may be a difficult task in the time available. I'm sure other 'Catters could help you here.