Didn't Johnny Handle write a song about this - "They're clsoing down the old pubs" - back in the 60s if I remember correctly?

Back then, every street corner had a pub (and a corner shop), when it was a substitute for people's living rooms. Habits change, and the market adjusts accordingly.

If people suddenly started going to pubs again, I guarantee the breweries would respond and open more. Sorry, that was a flying pig.

G