All hail the ale, the saviour of Britain’s pubs

♦ Craft beer has been hailed as the saviour of Britain’s pubs. According to a report, thanks to the ale, pubs will start springing up again within five years.

“Quality” pubs were attracting investors as sales of craft beer and gin boomed, attracting drinkers and creating good returns, BDO’S Restaurants and Bars report said.

The accountancy and business advisory firm said investor interest had been buoyed by the prolonged warm weather and England’s World Cup run. Since 2000, 17 per cent of the UK’S pubs have closed. The decline has been blamed on high taxes on pints, the smoking ban, the increasing price of food and drink and squeezed household incomes.