Pubs get 'clubbed'

Lurgan then had 5,000 club members, as well as the thousands signed in at the doors of clubs, seeing 500,000 going over the counter in local social clubs each year.

A big attraction to the social clubs was that the booze was often cheaper and obtainable at more unusual hours.

Five pubs had closed down in the past ten years, while the number of clubs had increased from six to 13 - only six less than the number of pubs in the town.

The figures were taken from Government statistics and court records and revealed a big swing in social drinking habits.

One of the contributing factors were the ‘Pub bombers’ and, according to publicans, the ‘easy-come-easy-go’ attitude to club drinking.

Hugh News of the Lurgan Licensed Vintners Association, said: “If clubs and pubs could compete on equal terms it would be a different story.But of course we could do more trade if the clubs were not there, although we are managing to hold our own to an extent.”

One club member, however, said: “It’s the publicans’ own fault. Just look at their prices. They go up every week.

“A social club can offer cheaper drink, comprehensive entertainment, later opening hours and, in many cases, easier access for the customer. Weekend drinkers now find public houses in town only half-full, while social clubs on the outskirts are packed.”

However, the situation was somewhat different in the rural areas around Lurgan where pubs were still doing big business, due to there being fewer social clubs in the country.