Traditional pubs close as new bars flourish

l Closed: the Cross Keys, at Chute, near Andover

January 4, 2005: Pub closures, as we all know, are a sad fact of life. One shuts every working day in the UK, it is said, But in my home town of Andover, which I visited over the new year, there appears to be something of an epidemic.

Even as I drove into town I noticed that the Railway Tavern, in Millway Road, seemed suspiciously dark for a New Year's Eve afternoon. The North Hampshire branch of CAMRA confirms the closure on its website and also suggests that the Hogshead in the old Savoy Chambers could be serving up its last pints, too.

l Closed: it's all quiet at Andover's Station Hotel

Opening the local paper, the Andover Advertiser, I discover that not only has darkness descended upon the Railway, but that the same is happening at the Station Hotel, in the centre of town, the Cross Keys, at Chute, the Hare and Hounds, at Charlton, and the Crown at Everleigh.

The latter is an interesting case. Kennet District Council approved planning permission for conversion of the pub into four homes, even though the pub is the only one in the locality.

In Andover town, the Wetherspoons pub, the John Russell Fox, is regularly packed, and there is now another new kid on the block, the Pub at Life, in the old Savoy Cinema building. The latter is owned by Luminar whose other brands include the Chicago Rock Cafe chain. It's pretty much lager all the way, apart from a reported sighting of Bass. Nice.

These big outfits can afford the big business rate costs but can also match the sort of prices the supermarkets are charging for beer. If we're really interesting in saving the heritage that is our traditional, small pubs, shouldn't the Government be looking at some of business rate tax break to protect them? (Have your say on the message board)

The future: the Pub at Life, part of the big national group Luminar

l Unkind to say so, I know, but the rumour about the Hogshead closure doesn't disturb me so much since I paid a visit there on Sunday night. My attention had been caught during a daytime family walk by a sign outside the premises advertising Ringwood Bitter and Gale's HSB, plus guests from Fuller's and Young's, so when I made a return visit in the evening expectation was high. Oh dear. There were three handpumps, two of which were dispensing beer from Greene King (Abbot and IPA) who own loads of the local pubs anyway. The third was Fuller's London Pride, which I opted for; it was passable, if one was being kind.

The Lamb was nearly my next stop. It has been in the hands of Andover's longest serving landlady, Leonie Rickard, up until early 2004 when she died at the age of 83. (There is an obituary on the North Hampshire CAMRA website). As a giant tarpaulin tied to the roof of the quaint old pub told me, the place was 'under new management'. In the quiet lounge bar where Father and I had sipped a superb 6X or two there was a pool table with a few youngsters sat around. Maybe another time.

I decided instead to pop round to the town's other Good Beer Guide-listed pub (apart from the Lamb), Wetherspoons' John Russell Fox. Now I know opinion is divided on Wetherspoons' efforts around the country, but I have to say this place really made my evening. It was packed out, but there was a good friendly atmosphere, good selection of beers and friendly, well-trained staff. I had a couple of festive specials - Cotleigh's Red Nose Reinbeer and Shepherd Neame Christmas Cracker and both were at the top end of good.