>> So where do the go? Their business model demands volume sales and if their traditional
>> customers abandon them either because they can no longer afford them or have changed their
>> drinking habit they are in a difficult place.
>>
>> They may well survive but as a much smaller business. They have recently sold off
>> around 40 pubs. Expect more to follow.
They go after what business there is. Looking down the other end of the telescope, there is a rapidly diminishing choice of places for customers to go. I drink very little, as a health choice, but it's no good taking a tenner, or even £20, down the local now for a couple of hours social drinking and a sandwich. And the local is shut most of the week anyway.
From what I hear, the tenant of the best localish village pub has thrown in the towel this week and the owner has come out of retirement to run it pro tem. Pubs round here are dropping like flies.
Provided JDW can manage the cash for a while I'm inclined to think they'll 'wether' it. Especially ifthey are prepared to cut the worst performing outlets.
There's takeover talk too.
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