CAMRA column: Another town centre pub closure and make the most of capped bus fares

LAST ORDERS: The Pheonix on Coronation Walk, Southport has closed

By Neville Grundy

CAMRA is sorry to learn of yet another pub closure in our area: the Phoenix on Coronation Walk, Southport has put up the towels for the last time.

As well as serving a good selection of real ales with a discount for CAMRA members, this pub has also been a venue for live music: my own most recent visit was to see the excellent local band, April Moon. It was also popular with sports fans with its large-screen televisions.

This closure comes after Wetherspoon's had announced the closure of the Willow Grove on Lord Street, and the closure last year of both the Waterfront and the Victoria on the Promenade, although the latter is still advertising for a new tenant.
It may be that new owners will reopen some of the pubs we've lost recently, but with the long term effects of the pandemic and the current cost of living crisis, it is not looking hopeful.

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• Read more from CAMRA

Bus fare cap

The Campaign for Real Ale is encouraging beer and pub lovers to take advantage of capped bus fares to support pubs and social clubs in England through the quieter New Year period. The early months of the year are notoriously hard for the licensed trade. This year, pubs, social clubs, brewers and cider makers are also having to contend with a cost-of-business crisis.

The scheme, announced last year, uses Government funding to help bus operators cap single journeys in England at £2. CAMRA has written to the Government, asking them to make the £2 cap permanent.

With the cost-of-living crisis causing everyone to consider the affordability of leisure activities, schemes that help reduce the cost of travel, and provide a way to visit pubs and brewers through more sustainable modes of transport, should be welcomed.

In a letter to the Minister, the CAMRA Chair, Nik Antona, said:
“A thriving public transport network goes hand in hand with a thriving hospitality sector. It is important that people can get to pubs and social clubs using accessible and sustainable methods of transport. Therefore, we would like you to introduce a permanent funding for a fare capping scheme in the Spring Budget.”

Visit our CAMRA websites here (national) or your local CAMRA website here covering Southport, Merseyside and Ormskirk, West Lancashire.

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