The glass is half empty for many Fylde coast landlords amid a national decline in pub beer sales.

According to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), overall sales of beer across the country are at the lowest level since the 1930s.

There has nationally been a 49 per cent drop in pub beer sales since 1979.

But pub owners and managers locally have mixed opinions.

Dave Daly, licensee of The Castle on Central Drive and president of the Association of Licensed House Managers, said: "People are staying at home and not coming to the pubs as much. Members are finding it difficult.

"The supermarkets selling cheap booze have affected sales. And we are starting to notice the effects of the smoking ban, now that the cold weather is hitting.

"Although I wouldn't say there has been a big drop – beer consumption has gone down, but then wine consumption is up.

"The pub used to be a very male-dominated environment, but over the last five years this has changed.

"There are more women now in pubs, drinking wine and why shouldn't they?
"We would like to see a freeze on duty on beer for pubs and clubs, but an increase for off-sales."

But Peter Wadeson, secretary at The Layton Institute, said: "We have maintained beer sales here and there has been an increase in lager.

Trends

"I suppose there has been a slight drop in draft darker beers like mild, bitter and so on, that may be perceived as older men's drinks. We do stock more bottles in the fridge these days – things like alcopops and cider, but also bottled beers as well. Lager is always pretty consistent.

"As an individual club, we have not particularly been hit by falling sales or the cheap booze people buy in supermarkets, but I know others who have."

Ian Rigg, from the Taps of Henry Street in Lytham, said: "I think like many pubs in Lytham we will be bucking the trend when it comes to keg sales.

"The problem with these types of stats is that it doesn't take into account the real ale consumers.

"Our sales are always good, but I can see why a few pubs would be selling less beer. There may well be a dip in sales of keg beers but real ale is certainly on the rise."

The BBPA has written to MPs calling for a freeze on beer duty.

It cites the soaring costs of barley, malt, glass, aluminium and energy as factors which are squeezing brewers' profits.

Its figures show beer sales in supermarkets and off-licences have gone up since 1979.

Drinks industry experts believe supermarket giants could soon be selling popular lagers for as little as 30p – a pint.

Supermarket warehouses are full of unsold booze after the washout summer. Prices for top-selling brands such as Stella Artois and Carlsberg dropped to 35p a pint last Christmas – it was 45p a pint two years ago.

Bill Simmons, of brewers Fuller's, said "It's going to be a real bunfight this Christmas. People have got warehouses full of beer and they're all looking for a way of getting rid of it."