The post you are reporting:
[poor, poor Alexander?]
I opined at #15 that supermarket booze was not a major factor in the closing of so many pubs.
The operative word seems to be, "cheap", and where there is cheap there is 'dear'. (Supermarket off-sales licensing should be stopped, I have said so many times.)
But, surely when we speak of 'Pub', we mean so much more than simply drink?
It is inescapable that with volume comes the lowering of prices;Supermarkets Vs Witherspoons.
But, Pubs are owned [and for reasons I give in #15] and are required to bring a return to the owners. The reasons why on-sale prices are so high is not just in comparison with Supermarkets, but also in order to bring a profit and where it could be said alcohol in supermarkets are a 'loss-leader' pricing of on-sales is often just a ruse to close the pub and realise the value of the property and land.
Simply put. Doubling the price in the supermarket will not, cannot, put extra money into the pocket of the consumer and will see a shift to smuggling and home-brew, NOT to any growth in pubs.
Pubs are no longer viewed as essential to the community, by Governments and big-business. This is why they close.
Putting a stop to the supermarkets' off-sales will do much to regenerate the high street, regenerating the high street will help keep pubs alive. And to help the growth in Pubs in general should go reduced costs and much added-value for the customer.