GAVIN AITCHISON (column, November 25) is right to says that a debate is needed over the future of York’s suburban pubs.

But glossing over some of the key issues leading to closures, while dedicating the rest of his opinion piece to the mantra that it’s all the fault of pub chains trying to cash in and planning laws too feeble to stop them, does not give sufficient consideration to a complex issue.

Research from the drinks industry shows that consumption of beer in 2013 was at its lowest for more than 20 years. At the same time the consumption of wine has risen almost to the same level as beer.

In hitching itself to the CAMRA bandwagon, dedicated as it is to real ale and a certain type of pub, the Get Vocal For Your Local campaign, worthy though its intentions are, is committing itself to an ever-diminishing market.

Other research shows that the local is a dead concept for the under-30s. Also people have taken on board the message that alcohol consumption has health implications.

The continuing downward trend in consumption of alcohol, and the fact that for many people the pub isn’t on their radar any more, will be as important in the demise of the local as mere avarice on the part of pub chains.

Stephen Dalby, Mill Farm, Yapham.