Bar wars price right for drinking classes

The ongoing "bar wars", which have seen drinks prices slashed in West Bromwich, can only be good for the beer drinkers of the Black country.

The prices for drinks at The Explosion and The Marksman are at least at a realistic price for the West Midlands area.

The comments from former mayor Cllr Bill Archer, which he is entitled to, are a load of rubbish! How can he have the audacity to say "it's so cheap, some people will be able to drink all day". Would he (if he plays) say his golf membership is so cheap "I can afford to play all and every day"? I bet he wouldn't!

He wants to bear in mind that this is a working class area, and the price is right! All the other pubs are charging far too much, that's why they are almost empty and loads are closing down every day.

The other comments from Paul Hissey, manager at Busby's, are absolutely ridiculous! I quote: "There is no problem with people willing to pay extra". From this comment I take it he means that he's over charging.

"We get the same customers all the while," he says. "We haven't had a drop in custom." But he hasn't had an increase in custom either, has he. I wonder why. And to call pubs that sell cheap beer "very irresponsible", well that really sums his comments up.

There's nothing wrong in free enterprise! I suggest if he can't compete then he'd best shut up shop and find some alternative business he can compete in. If it is suggested that pub drunkenness is on the increase, then it is up to the licensee to police this situation and refuse further drinks to anyone who they consider has had enough and call in the local police if required.

I went shopping in West Bromwich recently and the two pubs selling "cheap" beer were packed. Busby's – well I'll leave this to your imagination.

M Cartwright, Molyneux Road, Dudley.