“THERE is a future for most of our pubs” is the optimistic message from the chairman of Huddersfield’s Campaign for Real Ale group (CAMRA).

Mark Davies has charted the demise of many Huddersfield pubs over the past two years.

His group’s magazine records more pubs closing their doors each edition.

And he blames the pub’s decline on rising alcohol taxation, the smoking ban and the Government’s failure to curb supermarket loss-leader sales.

Mr Davies said pubs offering a good choice of quality ale would be more likely to survive.

But he said pub chains demanding unrealistic rents and restricting their tenants to a poor selection of expensive beer, were aggravating the situation.

The Examiner’s Death of the Local series has charted the continuing closure of Huddersfield pubs due to spiralling costs and supermarket competition.

Mr Davies said: “The situation is generally tough but the ‘good pubs’ are still doing OK.

“It would be dreadful if most pubs were to close because they are an essential part of British life and culture, and the best place to serve and drink real ale.

“I do believe that there is a future for most of our pubs. Those pubs offering drinkers a good choice of good quality real ale seem to be doing better than most.

“The Government needs to reduce the level of alcohol taxation – either in general, or specifically for pubs and introduce legislation to allow pub chain tenants access to guest beers. They need to tighten up legislation to stop viable pubs being de-licensed and sold off as housing.”