A researcher into the licensed drinks trade has called for local authorities to help provide affordable premises for local entrepreneurs to avoid cityscapes becoming “Anywheresville UK” brandscapes.
Robert Hollands and his colleagues at Newcastle University said the rise of the style bar made it difficult for entrepreneurs who were looking to gain a foothold because of the bars domination by big chains.
The Economic and Social Research Council-funded research, which looked at Newcastle, Leeds and Bristol, also found the growth of upmarket style bars were a threat to traditional pubs.
Financial Times 31/10/01 page 6
