Pubs in the area have been expressing their concern after many have seen a fall in trade given the current state of the UK's economy. 

The cost of living crisis has deeply affected so many people across the country, and pub landlords and landladies are no exception. 

A fair number of independently run pubs have expressed growing worry that their future may be cut short due to people simply not having enough money to visit them. 

Zoe Matthews, 55, who owns the Six Bells in Burghfield with her business partner Debbie Rumblow says that it is a weekly task to keep their heads above water. 

Both women took over the pub in February 2021 during the covid pandemic. It had been previously ran by another woman for 27 years before she passed away. 

Ms Matthews said that The Six Bells had always been her local as she has lived in the area for over 30 years. 

Ms Matthews said that during the summer of 2023, which saw a considerable amount of rain, the pub had a terrible time keeping afloat. 

"I think people are cautious about the way the world is going so maybe don't want to spend too much money, but honestly it is a dying trade," she continued. 

"Price increases, the cost of living, gas and electric has more than doubled since January of last year. Having to take more and more money to cover these costs."

Ms Matthews said that the pub tries to keep their prices reasonable and are probably one of the cheaper pubs in their area. 

"We don't want to alienate our locals but we also need to make some money," she said. "It is really hard."

Ms Matthews recalled going into town last week for an event in a local bar that she thought would have been rammed with guests, but to her surprise, it wasn't. 

"It's not just us you see," she said. 

The landlady of The Fisherman's Cottage, which is situated just outside of the centre of Reading, said that she too feels the strain on her business as people are spending less and less. 

"Most of the people we have come in obviously do care about spending money," she said. "We have quite a lot of customers who can only come one or two times a week when they used to come down every night."

Claire Deegan, who is the landlady of the Dukes Head Pub in Wokingham, said that undoubtedly the whole hospitality industry is struggling.

"Obviously it is affecting the whole of the hospitality industry, not just us as a pub," she said. "The government could definitely do more to support us, but I also understand that they do have other priorities like the NHS. 

"It is the locals who we need support from. Support us or lose us. You need to come down for a pint. but it is a difficult time. A lot of people will lose their jobs if pubs have to shut."

If you are a pub landlady/landlord who is struggling or know anyone who is, please email me at olivia.mowl@newsquest.co.uk.