Whether it was the smoking ban, consecutively bad summers or the financial crisis, if you own a pub or bar things have probably not been going great.
In the UK a pub closes every few hours and very few reopen.
But the great British pub is too great an institution for us to let it disappear for good so its time to come up with some pub saving ideas and to get you started how about the cocktail night.
Cocktail nights are great fun and can attract a good variety of customers through the doors.
Okay, it may require some essential cocktail accessories and bar equipment but these not need be expensive, especially as there are some great hotel, bar and pub equipment suppliers on the internet.
The basic bar equipment that you'll need are: glasses, needn't be too fancy and most good bar equipment suppliers will have good stock of inexpensive cocktail glasses.
You'll also need some other cocktail equipment like measures, shakers, stirrers and a selection of cocktail picks, umbrellas and other garnishes.
Its a good idea to get a selection of fresh fruit for this too.
Other bar accessories that are a good idea to have is large ice bucket fully stocked and its always handy to have an electric blender to hand too.
And while the hedonistic world of cocktails may at first seem daunting there is no need to have to learn dozens of recipes.
It can be just as successful a night if you stick to a menu of perhaps four or five of the top favourites.