Summary
A former pub in Hackney, the Hackney Tap, is set to reopen as a Gail’s bakery, raising concerns among locals about the decline of traditional pubs in favor of commercial chains. Residents, including James Newland and Chris Priestman, lament the loss of the pub as a community space, attributing the trend to younger generations prioritizing healthier lifestyles and gym culture over drinking. Recent surveys indicate a significant drop in alcohol consumption among younger Brits, with many pubs closing as a result, intensifying fears of gentrification and the loss of independent venues.