A LANDLORD is pulling out all the stops as well as the pints to celebrate British Pub Week.

Andy Dewell, who is also marking his third year in charge at the Elm Tree Inn at Langton Herring near Weymouth, is organising a range of charity events from ferret racing to quizzes as a way of toasting everything that is good about the Great British pub.

But while the celebrations are going on, there is concern about an industry crippled by cheap alcohol from supermarkets, the rise of the super pubs, tax increases and business rates.

The last year saw the sharpest annual decline in alcohol consumption nationally, according to the British Beer and Pub Association and pub landlords in Dorset said they had seen evidence of a drop in revenue locally.

The latest pub in Weymouth to close is The Star Inn in Gloucester Street.

Owner Admiral Taverns said it hoped to reopen the pub shortly.

Secretary of the area branch of the Licensed Victuallers Association Robbie Feltham said the constant cycle of roadworks in Weymouth may also be affecting trade in Weymouth.

He added: “Sadly it’s rather a gloomy picture out there.

“Some places are doing extremely well, particularly the food houses, and there’s the odd pub you can rely on for its ale but it can’t work for everyone.

“It’s tough for a small pub to match the super pubs for food and drink.

“And you’ve got the supermarkets selling beer cheaper than pubs can buy it.”

One pub hoping to weather the storm is the Queens Hotel music venue in Weymouth which opened at the weekend with new owners in charge.

Director of Events and Promotions Ashley Jarman said: “It’s a difficult industry because you’re competing with supermarkets for low cost.

“The reason people come out is because they want to be entertained, you can’t expect them just to come and drink your beer.

“You have to put on something that rivals the X-Factor and a cheap bottle of plonk.

“We have a rich pool of musicians down here and we want to embrace that and make it accessible.”

British Pub Week, which runs until Saturday aims to unite the nation in celebrating all the pub represents. Organisers from the trade say the pub is a great British institution which cannot be matched for its historical, cultural and social importance.

Andy Dewell, 42, who took over the Elm Tree Inn three years ago, said: “Pub Week is about promoting the pub in the community and encouraging people to use it.

“It’s a difficult business to be in at the moment and you only have to look at the press to see how many pubs are closing.”

Mr Dewell, who is married to Charlotte and has two children, worked as a food and beverage manager in hotels around the country. The Elm Tree is his first pub.

He said: “Food is a big element of what we do and we keep it local as much as we can.

“We’re out in the country so we can’t just rely on the drink trade.”

The fundraisers

ANDY Dewell of the Elm Tree Inn is organising events to celebrate both British Pub Week and his third anniversary in charge.

All funds raised during the week will be donated to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and the Langton Herring village church and hall.

TODAY: Pub games night. Bring your own or join in traditional pub games * Tuesday, November 2: Folk night.

* Wednesday, November 3: Quiz night.

* Thursday November 4: Skittles.

* Friday November 5: Steak and wine night.

* Saturday November 6: Ferret racing plus birds of prey on show.