WALK around Taunton and you’ll pass any number of former pubs, writes Phil Hill.

Time was when you wanted refreshment you were spoilt for choice.

Plenty of watering holes were buzzing with customers at weekends.

Skittles and darts teams and quizzers frequented the venues in midweek.

Your trip from the north of town into the centre could take in The Denmark, in Cheddon Road; The Cottage and the Oak and Acorn, in Kingston Road; The Wheeltappers and Shunters and The Railway, in Station Road; The Telegraph and the Myrtle Tree, in Bridge Street; and The Wood Street.

All are sadly no more, most turned into housing.

The list could go on.

Other premises have been demolished for homes, including relatively recently The Oxford, in Roman Road, and The Staplegrove, on the town’s western fringe.

Some local pubs are clinging on by their optics.

More than one has yo-yoed between trading and being closed.

It’s a national issue, with pubs disappearing almost quicker than you could sink a yard of ale.

Landlords cite several reasons, including cheap supermarket alcohol, crippling rents, punishing business rates, the smoking ban, the pandemic and changing drinking habits.

Some revellers will knock back a few ‘bevvies’ at home before venturing out down the pub, where they order a tonic water and sit in a corner, surreptitiously topping up their glasses with vodka or gin from a hip flask.

Previously they’d have been told: "Get outta my pub", but losing customers is the last thing publicans want these days.

A number of pubs don’t bother opening apart from at the end of the week into the weekend.

That said, business does seem to be booming in a few hostelries around town.

Where some establishments have been threatened with closure, locals have raised money to convert them into community pubs.

One such example is Stoke St Gregory’s Royal Oak, where villagers’ enthusiasm and cash has ensured beer, wine and spirits are still flowing.

Over in Milverton, they’re hoping for a similar scheme at the recently closed Globe, but they’re still short of their target to make a go of it.

For those wishing to keep their local, there’s a clear ‘booze or lose’ message - struggling publicans cannot keep propping up their businesses.

It’s no good moaning about closures if you don’t use your favourite pub.