Londoners blame 'people not getting drunk anymore' for Gail's takeover of pub

Tom and Anastasia agreed that young Brits have given up the boozer in favour of the gym

(Picture: Luke Alsford / Metro)

Hackney: Once one of the edgiest parts of London with a bohemian vibe and where people would go to party. Now it’s got a Gail’s.

The bakery chain has just moved into the Grade-II listed building once occupied by the Hackney Tap,a pub that closed suddenly last August after just four years of trading.

Mystery surrounded the closure,but more recently the Mare Street building has been plastered with Gail’s branding announcing its imminent arrival.

However,as is becoming increasingly common,the arrival of the chain has not been welcomed by everyone.

Chris Priestman,28,and his flatmate Michael,27,live opposite the Hackney Tap.

They joked that it would ‘become a Gail’s as soon as it closed’ long before the advertising hoarding arrived. Now their prediction has come true,they’re mourning the pub’s closure.

James Newland,has an interesting take on the matter.

He said: ‘It is a shame people don’t get drunk anymore. It is sad,we are all prioritising the gym over the pub. It might be good for your physical health but not your mental health.’

The environmental economist fears chains and commercial enterprises are pushing social venues off our high streets.

James Newland bemoans the fact that people are not getting drunk anymore (Picture: Luke Alsford / Metro)

The Hackney Tap is now a Gail’s under construction (Picture: Luke Alsford / Metro)

He said: ‘This is the centre of the community of Hackney,there should be a pub on this street. There should be more social spaces here. It is also a shame we don’t have more independent stores.’

Tom,22,agreed,saying it’s another sign that younger people just aren’t going to pubs.

To get the latest news from the capital visit Metro's London news hub.

He said: ‘It is harder for pubs to stay in business. Social media are pushing healthier lifestyles and gym culture. People are drinking a lot less. People are losing more social interaction.’

According to a survey at the beginning of the year,43 per cent of young people don’t drink and a third of 35 to 54-year-olds have given up alcohol entirely. Only half drink only on special occasions.

This drop in drinkers has been devastating for the pub industry,leading to six pub closures a week,according to the British Beer and Pub Association.

Mare Street is now filled with big brand chains (Picture: Luke Alsford / Metro)

The Hackney Tap used to be a bustling pub (Picture: Hackney Tap/ Facebook)

With pubs disappearing from the high street,it’s no surprise that chains like Gail’s are moving in to fill the gaps.

The chain has experienced this kind of welcome before,including a revolt in Walthamstow.

Nearly 2,000 people signed a petition,describing the area as ‘treasured for its collection of local,independent,and family run businesses’.

In the end,the branch opened as planned despite the backlash.

Back in Hackney,the argument seems to be the same – people want more independent shops.

Psychotherapist Maria,41,told Metro: ‘There are too many chains,they are destroying local businesses. The nearest Gail’s is not very close by.  There are already so many chains here.’

Gail’s,which first opened in Hampstead in 2005 and is now worth £500 million,plans to open up to 40 more stores across the UK this year.

They said the Hackney branch would be opened this summer and they would be distributing produce to six local charities and a school in the area.

Meanwhie,Daire,26,was a fan of the Hackney Tap and wants more smaller shops,but wants people to put things in perspective instead of ‘getting more upset about coffee than they do about what is happening in Gaza.’