i just thought i would mention that the exeter inn is closing its doors for the last time on january 30 it will be a sad day for one of dawlish's oldest pubs.
I have had many a social drink with friends at the Exeter when Paul and his wife ran it. It was the kind of pub you could take your friends and visitors to, not like the type of pub people seem to want today. I also heard the South Devon is up for sale, don't know if it's true.
The Lansdowne and the White Hart are also for sale. The Anchor at Cockwood is closing. Not surpirsing as most pubs are empty most of the time.
Simply supply and demand.
Banning smoking and allowing supermarkets to sell cheap booze were good polices then.
Maybe the government have plans to bring down the number of pubs as they have with petrol stations.
Perhaps someone reading this may have the time to look for connections between the Conservatives, the Supermarket Giants and the alcohol retailing network. The results as to who owns who and who has fingers in pies maybe interesting.