What is Britain coming to?

According to a study by the IGD (Telegraph 21/03/09), there are now more supermarkets (55,854) in Britain than pubs (54,818 end 2008).  This could be a result of:

• supermarkets selling cheap drink e.g. beer and cider
• above inflation increases in beer duty

and perhaps the smoking ban, although this isn't cited in the Telegraph article.

As well as an example of a failing industry/institution, the article touches on the decline of community and neighbourhood services within British society, the pub being one of them.  And the local newspaper being another.