SIR – It will be a big shock to most people in Bradford that six pubs around the city worth £1½ million in property sales look set to close in the next few weeks. This is being blamed on the smoking ban and the lack of customers coming through the doors.

Let’s get something clear here, pubs seem to have failed to diversify to get more people in through the doors. The cost of beer between pubs and supermarkets is vastly different.

The Government fails to see that the closure of pubs means less tax coming in to the coffers.

It’s in the interest of both Government and breweries to keep pubs open for a social meeting place for people to drink after work, or at the weekend meet up with friends for a chat. It will also affect those who like a meal with their pint.

Martin Palliser, Waincliffe House, Laisterdyke