The London Daily News

A London pub is closing every other day according to the brewing industry. 

The British Beer and Pub Association said rising costs, the smoking ban and increases in duty have seen 78 pub pubs close in the last six months of 2007. 

Costs

Four pence was added to the price of beer in last month’s budget and the BBPA has called on "fair" taxes from the government. The credit crunch and rising utility bills were sighted as people start to tighten their belts. A BBPA spokesman said: 

"We have been warning for some time that pubs would close and that is what is now happening."

Smoking ban 

The figures take in the immediate six months following the smoking ban - a 13% drop in profits was recorded by JD Wetherspoons for the same period.