OTD, October 28th 1980…
It’s an issue that remains current today: The closure of bars due to increasing costs and lower profits.
In 1980 Anne Diamond discovered that thanks to the sale of cheap alcohol in supermarkets, pubs are suffering a recession. A new supermarket had recently opened in Stirchley – Drinksville Liquor Store – and it only sold alcohol.
Anne Diamond speaks with Mr Guest, landlord of the Black Eagle pub at Hockley in Birmingham who talked about the narrow profit margins and how many pubs would not survive. Currently in 2024 the Black Eagle however survives.