What is a pub? It sounds like a daft question bearing in mind that you most likely work in the sector, and we write about them all of the time.

They say first impressions count, and they do, but so do final ones.

There's a point when something goes from being niche and cool to mainstream and everyone wants to start giving it a bit of a kicking.

I've been thinking a lot about students recently, probably because it is now exactly 20 years since I became one myself - I know, I know, hard to believe...

Last night I stayed at the oldest pub in the country. At least I think I did. It's pretty old anyway.

We get plenty of spurious reports and research sent to the Inapub Inn, much of which is designed to push whatever product someone is trying to sell.

"Get out!"

That is one of the phrases that many licensees no doubt dread having to say to a customer.

I never thought I'd say this but there have been times in the last couple of weeks when I have started to wish that I was Welsh.

So far this week I have visited three licensees in three pubs in different parts of the country.

The following extract is a representation of a conversation I had last week.