A London pub has rebranded itself as The Extinction Arms to indicate what a publess future across the UK could look like.
The Pelton Arms has received a “Bleak Friday” makeover after a new endangered list revealed pubs could become extinct by 2035.
The pub in Greenwich has been draped in black to show Black Friday shoppers how drab high streets may appear without social hubs.
It is part of a campaign by small business insurance provider Simply Business, who estimated more than 130,000 small businesses on UK high streets could be extinct within 15 years.
Jake Greaves and Elisabeth Enriquez both work in The Pelton Arms
Simply Business / The Pelton Arms
Geoff Keen, who has been the Landlord of The Pelton Arms for ten years, told the Daily Star: “Oh, I don’t know what Britain would look like without pubs… it’s part of our culture isn’t it? We do worry about it quite a bit and we do what we can to try and keep our heads above water and keep going and go with the times.”
Speaking about teaming up with Simply Business for the campaign, he added: “It kind of just shows what it would look like if we were not here really.
“We are open to doing it because so many pubs are shutting down these days with new regulation, changing business rates and everything going on. It is getting tougher and tougher for us to survive so this is a picture of if we weren’t to be here.”
Keen said there were many reasons why owning an independent pub was more challenging than ever, and cited reasons like the cost of living going up, wages staying stagnant and people going out less and changing their relationships with bars.
The Pelton Arms in South London
Google Maps
UK Chief Operating Officer at Simply Business Bea Montoya added: “Britain’s independent high street is at breaking point.
“Our research paints a bleak picture – if we don’t act urgently, our high streets will soon look vastly different. Independent pubs, newsagents and others will soon be extinct, and the impact this will have on communities will be devastating.”Beyond enriching our communities, we know that what’s best for small businesses is best for our economy – they collectively contribute trillions of pounds and account for vast employment.
“We hope this campaign will raise awareness, and we’re committed to doing our best to materially help.
“That’s why we’ll be financially supporting a high street business in light of the cut in business rates relief, while at the same time gathering insight to outline a long-term plan to save our high street.”
Keen said: “Support your local pubs and support your local businesses.
“There are enough chains out there and there are very few left of us who are independent.
“There is a bit of character to what we do and we don’t want to live in a world where it is all a bit too robotic.”
