Exploration and Pre-Production Statement of Interest:

Working title: Happy Hour: Death of the independent Pub

Outline:

-Documentary exploring the impact Pub chains and franchises have on communities and
independent pub owners, we will be focusing not only on how these chains push independent
businesses out of the market, but also the effect this has on small communities whose pubs
have been the centrepiece of socialising in certain areas and are forced to close due to
competition.

Focus on Community while also considering what pub owners do when competition enters an
area in the form of chains such as Wetherspoon's.

This ties into the topic of gentrification, do these chains ruin community circles in certain
areas or prohibit community activity? We want to find out if there is something deeper than
simply pubs being closed, what are the knock-on effects.

Also want to consider how major chains work, can managers of major chains do more to
make these pubs more community friendly rather than profit driven.

Aims:

-To give communities and owners a voice on what their local pubs mean to them,
approaching people in chains as well as independent public houses asking them of their
personal preferences and experiences. Try to find why pubs are important to communities,
and find out peoples opinions and thoughts on the collapse of pubs in general.

-To consider the culture of pubs as well as the history, we wish to speak to managers, owners
and experts in the area.

-Produce an outline of what pubs not only mean to people but the effect independent closures
have on people and areas. Can chain pubs ever be a fix to this?

Overview of key contexts, sources and references:

The Lamb & Flag, one of Londons oldest pubs Wetherspoons, the chain pubs Feathers Hotel, longest
continuous license, since the
1600s

One of the most important sources that provides context to our points its a study from the
University of York entitled The importance of Pubs in shaping community cohesion as
wellbeing in Rural areas of England. This study looks into a wide range of issues and
positives of pub culture including the decline of pubs and the causes of the decline, the
importance of pubs in rural areas, analysis of specific areas of England and the rise of
microbreweries.

There is also a wide range of pub specific case studies available on the Pub the Hub website
which will be an invaluable resource in researching UK pubs. There is also a book called the
Biographies of drink which is a case study on humans history and relationship with drinking,
this will provide more evidence to our documentary on any points that will be made on how
pubs are evolving with people.
Another interesting study is Women drinking out in Britain which explores many things such
as the masculinity of the pub and womens relationships with them.

Along with these key studies there are many more that will inform and develop our
documentary.

Crew and roles (list all group members and their proposed roles and also identify the roles
still required)

Thomas Li

Ethan Mair

Fudong Chen

MA Audio(possibly)

Risk and Ethics Assessment:

CHECKLIST / There are five areas of ethical concern when undertaking research /
projects:

Consent: It is important to get the informed consent of everyone taking part in a research
project. This includes explaining to them the reason for the research project, the exact nature
of their contribution and what will happen to the information they supply. This consent is
usually in written form, and in most cases of filmed / photographic recording uses a standard
release form.

Privacy/Confidentiality: It is vitally important to respect respondents privacy and

confidentiality. Respondents / participants have to give explicit consent if they are to be
identified and if they request it, their anonymity must be protected. Sensitive information must
be stored securely.

Vulnerability: It is essential to obtain ethical clearance if you are doing research / projects
with people under the age of 18, or who may be considered vulnerable in some other way.

Dissemination: Care should be taken when creating practical works or writing up and
publishing / disseminating results. There is the potential for harm to respondents in the way
their information is presented and disseminated.

Risk: the most important of these. The guiding principle is that no harm should result from the
work undertaken, either to the respondents or to the researcher. This applies from the
planning stage through to dissemination of the results. Below are some examples of potential
risk. Module leaders/supervisors are asked to consider student proposals and if they identify
a potential risk, or are unsure, they must contact the School Research Ethics Committee for
guidance.

Potential risks to be considered

Examples of harm possible unlikely
Psychological Lowered self-esteem; emotional distress; embarrassment
Comments: Some questions might make the interviewee feel offended, which also could make them feel
aggressive and embarrassed. People who have lowered self-esteem may not want to share their experience and
acknowledgments with us as they dont want to be filmed by our cameras or communicate with strangers.
Physical Illness/accident consequent on participation
Comments: When the interviews and shooting take place in the pub, we could potentially meet some people that
can would be drunk or over hangover. They could become aggressive and offensive since they are
unconsciousness and unaware of their surroundings.
Also, we might be infected with the flu or other diseases in the pub since there will be so many people.
Social Unwanted exclusion from society; ostracised by
neighbours/friends/family/significant reference or peer group
Comments: This might happen as an international student or foreigner. Culture barrier may cause some
arguments with the interviewers/interviewees. Mutual understanding is significant during the process but in
somehow, a few people may express rude attitude, which may cause some trouble.
Economic Economic deprivation as consequence of answering questions
Comments:
Legal Legal penalties ensuing from answering questions
Comments: We dont think we will receive the punishment unless violate the rules of the pub. Make sure get the
permission for interview and shooting. Try not to make people around feel offended if they didnt want to be
interviewed or shown up on camera. Follow the rules in the pub and try not ask the managers any business
secrets.