One of Kent's longest-serving landladies selling pub after four decades because of declining trade
ITV News Meridian's Sarah Saunders has been to meet landlady Carol Morris
One of Kent's longest-serving landladies is selling her pub after four decades because of declining trade.
Carol Morris, 77, has been running The Malvern Inn in Dover for 43 years but is ready to call last orders.
She says it's because of changing drinking habits and economic pressures.
She said: "They don't want me to go but struggling along trying to make a living now is not working.
"It used to be packed in here you couldn't move.
"Quarter to twelve on a Sunday lunchtime you couldn't get your name on the pool table or the dart board.
"It was packed out but now you are lucky if you get five or six in on a lunchtime.”
Micropubs like the Brickmaker's Alehouse in Bexhill still have visitors on weekday afternoons.
They can have smaller overheads and open for fewer hours but they also recognise the pressures.
Martin Payne, micropub owner, said: "It’s incredibly difficult for everybody at the moment, not just pubs, breweries as well.”
He said costs have risen including fuel costs, rents and wages.
He added: "We are fortunate because we are relatively nimble in terms of overheads but other places it’s a real struggle for everybody.
"I think there’s going to be a lot of fall out over the coming few years, particularly for some of the pubs in the middle.
"I think the larger chains will probably be fine.
"I think some of the more niche pubs and micropubs will also be fine.
"But an awful lot of places will not make it or certainly not make it in their current form."
Paul Sanders, Campaign for Real Ale, South East, said there are ways pubs could be helped.
He said: "Everything from relief from taxation that is not just employment, national insurance and taxation but also the duty levels they pay on beer, alcohol and spirits.
"I would love our pubs to continue going and being a force for the good of our communities."
The government has launched a small business plan saying it’s speeding up licensing reform and seeking to create a fairer business rates system.
Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know…