Is a funny thing - the big brewers have got out of the actual pub business, but are the customers/consumers actually any better off? I may not have been a fan of some aspects of old tied pubs, but give me one of those over a Yates Wine Lodge any day. I'm not sure that the tie had that much effect on the quality of the beer - but due to the fact I didn't start drinking in English pubs until the mid-1990's I will have to deign to superior knowledge and experience.

I would be interested in your thoughts on why the MMC report failed.

BD, TJ and I may have a similar idea of what makes a good pub (decent beer is indeed always a start). To go back to the topic of the thread, my own view is that the smoking ban has made a trip to the pub more pleasant in most cases.

Dave - not trying to wind anyone up and shocked at BD's view that others try to do so.