I'm feeling it. I manage a pub and times are really bad i've been in it for 7.5 years and i've seen the trade change drastically in that time for various reasons. I went through quiet times at my last pub but nothing as bad as this. 5 a day closing at the minute. I feel sorry for all the leasehold places, they pay double what we do for beer as well as paying a huge ground rent and probably a mortgage on the ingoing. My boss is in his 36th year in the trade he says its really bad this time. He's even preparing for the return of the 4day week!! candles and gas lamps at the ready!!!

The country has been on a crest of a wave for the last few years and the banks have been the biggest problem. They've been making people greedy. When i bought my first house nearly 10 years ago we had to jump through hoops to get 2.5 times our joint salary for a 100% mortgage with 2 options repayment or endowment. If the banks didn't offer 5-6times salary and 125% mortgages prices would stay keen and ultimately realistic.

On another note the foreigners could teach us a lot.i dont buy into all this "country's done for because of the foreigners" They have the money because they work. Any work. We hired a polish lad and he was the best worker we've had for years. I offered him days off and he refused. he had 1 day a week off. Everyone i speak to that employs them says the same about the english they employ, lazy pain in the arse etc..... tell you when they'll work etc...

I know this is a minority but it appears to be more and more common. Do you want the money or not?

I could go on all day about this stuff. I hear it all stood behind a bar and theres a lot of people with their head in the clouds still. my views may not be entirely accurate to some but i speak as i find!