Pubs along Eccles’ ‘Golden Mile’ have shared their fears as data shows more than 18 pubs close each week due to the cost of living crisis.
With the rise in the cost of living and the surge in the cost in beer, many pubs in Salford and the UK living through a worrying period.
According to CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), from January to June 2022 there had been a rise in the number of pub closures across the UK, reaching 485 closures in that period.
That’s an average of 18.7 pubs are closing weekly.
And with Eccles hosting a ‘Golden Mile’ of twelve pubs spread across the a distance of a singular mile from Wangies to the Eccles Cross, just outside the tram station.
Vicki Morris, from Wangies Eccles spoke about the difficulties the pub has faced over the past year. She said: “Its difficult, we are definitely a lot quieter than what we was.
“The cost of bills are higher than what they were and the cost of our stock which means we have to put our prices up and that deters people.”
With the rise of energy bills and the cost of living, there was a definite expectation that with the Qatar World Cup, this winter it would be helping hand to these pubs, but Vicki disagreed: “The football isn’t helping is we thought it would be.
“As it was reason for people to come out but people are just going home to watch it because it’s cheaper to do so.”
She went on to add that since she had been at Wangies, over “half the number of pubs that when we first moved here” have closed down.
With that in mind, it is quite clear why pubs through in Eccles are working together in order to stick around. Vicki added: “We all work together if anyone needs anything we are happy to help each other.”
And this community spirit is clear to see with neighbouring pubs, like the Stanley Arms, a hearty small Joseph Holt on the Liverpool road.
Britney Alicia Ward, 23, a barmaid at the Stanley Arms, who spoke on the importance of the locals supporting the local pubs in the ‘triangle’, as she said: “It is a good thing because people do come to all the pubs in the triangle. The Bird in Hand to the The Bridgewater and back here (Stanley Arms)”
Britney also spoke on the difficulties that they’ve had due to the rise of the cost of living: “It has affected business because people don’t want to go out.
“They can’t afford it with everything going on and the price of beer going up.”
She did admit that they are still hosting the regulars that are keeping them thriving. She continued: “We’ve still got our regulars, always have our regulars.”
With many pubs still suffering from the damages from Covid-19, it is predicted that there will be many more closures could happen nationwide amongst the issues of cost of living.
@alfmullsInterviews with Vicki from Wangies Eccles and Britney from Stanley Arms. As they are compete on a road full of pubs amongst a cost of living crisis.♬ original sound Alf M
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