After all, I know pubs in Central london that do beer for £1:80 - 1:90
The ones I know selling cheap tend to be those who both own their own properties and are in private hands - as opposed to Guy Hands....:-).
eg Sam Smiths (I think)
I couldn't believe I could get decent beer under £2.00 a pint almost literally on Trafalgar Square. (Chandos Arms - corner of St Martin's Lane...)
Also, it's quite noticeable that Wetherspoon's prices are directly correlated to local property rental values.
eg my former local - the "Half Moon" near Stepney Green tube (rough as a badger's arse) - sold beer at maybe £1.00 pint less than West End and City Wetherspoons
Most major Pub estates have long been financial property plays, nothing more, and it shows in the beer prices. "Any economic unit can emit money. The serious problem is to get it accepted" Hyman Minsky
a) Generically there has been some change in choice of drinks, it seems every year more people will have a glass of wine or one of the dreaded "alcopops." Just counting the beer drunk doesn't tell you how much money a bar till is taking in.
b) Some of the bigger chain destinations are really pubs only in name and focus heavily on loud music and alcopops and various "shots" as their core business. (The Wetherspoons in the centre of Leeds is only not a "nightclub" because they have brighter lighting...
