Last Orders? Inside Britain’s Pub Crisis and the Rise of the Micro Pub

Is Britain calling last orders on one of its most iconic institutions?In this episode, Danni and Si pull up a chair and explore the story behind the British pub crisis. From Roman taverns and medieval ale houses to Victorian gin palaces and modern locals, they trace how pubs became far more than places to grab a drink. They became the heart of communities, friendships, celebrations, and everyday life.But why are so many disappearing?Danni and Si unpack the complex mix of rising business rates, soaring energy costs, alcohol duty, supermarket competition, changing drinking habits, and shifting attitudes towards alcohol that have left thousands of pubs struggling to survive.The conversation also looks at the innovative ways the industry is fighting back. From micro pubs and brewery tap rooms to community-owned venues, new models are emerging that put connection and local identity back at the centre of the experience.Along the way, they discuss the role of chains like Wetherspoons, the balance between affordability and authenticity, and what happens to communities when their social spaces disappear.Funny, nostalgic, and surprisingly thought-provoking, this episode asks a simple question: when a pub closes, what are we really losing?Grab a brew and join the conversation.About Simon and Danielle:Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business. Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat. Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.