Pub's continue to suffer across Bexley

The number of pubs across the county has continued to decline in recent years, with the borough of Bexley being no exception as more establishments in the area face the axe.

Since the Labour government won power in 1997 a total of 3,500 pubs have been closed across the country with 210 coming from the Kent area. And according to figures from the Valuation Office Agency, there are now only 1,870 pubs in Kent compared with 2,080 in 1997.

The Old Wick, which is situated on the outskirts of Bexley Village, closed earlier this year after months of struggling to stay afloat. The traditional public house was situated in an area that is heavily populated with pubs and felt the brunt of the competitive nature of the industry.

Pam and Jim Jennings, owners of The Dukes Head pub in Crayford, empathise with The Old Wick as they understand the pressures of running a pub in an area which is severely inhabited with other pubs.

Jim Jennings “It’s really tough out there at the moment. The competition has always been high but at the moment, with so many pubs around this area and the price of alcohol continually rising, it really is becoming a survival of the fittest sort of thing.”

Partner, Pam Jennings, added “There’s always been competition though, you just need to adapt to the environment.

“Everyone is suffering in the recent economic situation and we’re no different, we’re always worrying about competition and our financial status, but at the moment we’re doing alright.”

The Coalition government has placed the blame on Labour for the decrease in pubs across the county, Local government minister Grant Shapps explained to the yourcanterbury online in 2010 the mistakes Labour made.

He said: “Labour hiked taxes on pubs and did nothing to stop unfair loss-leading by supermarkets.

"The only people they helped were the yobs who benefited from the 24-hour licensing laws which resulted in a surge in alcohol-fuelled violence.

“Labour must apologise for the harm they did to community pubs across the country.”

The bar De Ja Vu, situated in St Mary’s, is currently undergoing a redevelopment process to turn the derelict area in to a travel lodge and harvester. The bar, which had a history of trouble with the police, was eventually shut down in 2009 with work beginning on the new hotel and restaurant estate at the end of 2010 which has pleased local residents.

Mother of one, Kim Hinks, is pleased that the troubled bar was torn down and is being replaced with a successful chain restaurant and hotel.

“I used to dread weekends, constantly worrying about what was going on outside, if I’m honest, it was just a disgrace.

“Every night there were police cars outside and young people getting in to fights, hopefully with the opening of a successful restaurant it will make the area a safer place.”

However, not all locals are pleased with the news of new hotel and restaurant being constructed in the area; The Birchwood (pictured above) which is located just over the road from the new harvester, is yet another pub in the area that has felt the full effect of the economic climate with the stiff competition. The Birchwood closed in 2010 and has been left derelict ever since with no plans of a redevelopment .

(Original photography by Sam Francis)