Beer drinkers’ plan to keep pubs going: close them one day a week

PUBS should close one day a week to help each other survive, real ale activists have said, as they launched a ‘ruhetag’ plan to save the pub.

As growing numbers of pubs continue to close up and down the country members of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) in its Medway branch in Kent, have suggested introducing the aptly- named “stagger time” – similar to the ones operated in German bars.

It would mean pubs in the Medway area operate on a rota basis, with a different one shutting each day in order to spread trade around, as well as saving money on overheads such as staffing.

The “ruhetag”, which means “rest day”, is run by local government in Germany. Although it sounds a drastic measure, in Germany it is known for such things to be enforced by police. According to the website Theculture-trip, it is illegal for German schools, colleges or workplaces to remain open on Sundays. Drilling, mowing, vacuuming or recycling bottles might lead to a fine, or even arrest in rare occasions.

The ruhetag plan in Medway is currently being discussed by Medway Camra, which has appointed a pubs officer to canvass the opinions of its 660 members. Alan Jefferies, chairman of Medway Camra, said: “In the last five years, parts of Medway have seen a strong revival of great pubs, old and new. Even so pubs are still closing.”

He conceded that while the situation for pubs in Medway was “not great” it remained “far better than it was”.

“Some pubs are forced to stay open whether they have clients or not,” he said. “What we are suggesting lasts only for a year and landlords can choose their closing day. This can be adjusted when large events occur, like the World Cup or a royal wedding.”

Mr Jefferies said high rents and rates, along with beer costs and the smoking ban had contributed to the demise of pubs.

“It’s clear the better maintained pubs seem to have a better welcome,” he said. “Some owners have let their pubs become very tatty – and who wants to drink in a moth-eaten old pub?”

However, Mr Jefferies added that the increase in the number of micropubs was encouraging and attracting better beer choice and socialising.

According to Camra, Britain had 75,000 pubs in the Seventies and has since lost 30,000 of them. They continue to close at the rate 0f 21 every week.