On the 47th anniversary of their debut performance, iconic reggae band UB40 made an emotional return to the Hare & Hounds pub in Kings Heath, Birmingham, where it all began. The visit sparked a poignant conversation about the alarming decline of the city's pubs, with band members describing the trend as "criminal" and calling for urgent action to preserve these cultural landmarks.
A Return to Where It All Started
UB40's career launched from the stage of the Hare & Hounds on February 9th, 1979. Nearly five decades later, the band revisited this historic venue to reflect on Birmingham's changing pub landscape. Lead singer Robin Campbell expressed deep concern about the steady disappearance of pubs across the city, noting that each closure represents more than just a business failing—it erases decades, sometimes centuries, of community memories and musical history.
The Eagle & Tun: A Symbolic Loss
The conversation turned particularly sombre when discussing the Eagle & Tun in Digbeth, a pub forced to close due to HS2 development after 120 years of operation. This venue holds special significance for UB40, as it served as the filming location for their legendary "Red Red Wine" music video. Campbell lamented, "The Eagle & Tun closure was really sad and one of those things which was just allowed to happen."
Birmingham has witnessed several notable pub closures in recent years, including The Post Office Vaults, RedBeer'd, and The King's Head. Perhaps most distressingly, The Lad in the Lane—arguably the city's oldest pub—currently sits abandoned and decaying in Erdington with no reopening plans in sight.
Why Pubs Matter to Birmingham's Identity
UB40 members passionately argued that pubs represent far more than drinking establishments. They serve as incubators for musical talent, community gathering spaces, and living archives of local history. "When we started as kids 40 years ago, almost every pub had bands on," recalled Robin Campbell. "Birmingham has produced so many groups of different genres—and they all started playing in pubs and clubs."
The band suggested that pubs in excellent condition should receive protected status similar to listed buildings. "They do it with stately homes, why can't they do it with pubs?" questioned Campbell, highlighting what he sees as a double standard in heritage preservation.
The Economic Challenges Facing Pubs Today
Drummer Jimmy Brown identified multiple factors making pub survival "almost impossible" in the current climate. These include:
- The ongoing cost of living crisis reducing disposable income
- Prohibitive pint prices discouraging younger customers
- Major breweries controlling prices and squeezing margins
- Changing social habits and reduced alcohol consumption among youth
Brown noted, "Young people have more common sense than we did because they don't drink as much. They don't go out as much—and when they do—they don't get as intoxicated as we did." While acknowledging this positive health trend, he questioned whether sufficient demand still exists to sustain traditional pub culture.
A Call to Action for Birmingham
Vocalist Matt Campbell criticised what he perceives as Birmingham's tendency to neglect its cultural assets. "It's typical of Birmingham to not hold onto its sights," he remarked, contrasting the Eagle & Tun's closure with successful heritage projects like the Black Sabbath Bench, which has become a tourism hotspot.
The band members unanimously agreed that pubs deserve greater recognition and protection as essential components of Birmingham's identity. "Pubs are a history of Birmingham and they need to be looked after," emphasised Matt Campbell, while Robin Campbell concluded, "This has been an ongoing issue for 20 years. Pubs in Birmingham aren't what they used to be, but they should be cared about."
As UB40 prepares to embark on a worldwide tour beginning in Paris, their message about preserving Birmingham's pub heritage resonates as both a nostalgic reflection and urgent warning. The band's return to their origins has highlighted how these establishments have historically nurtured musical talent—and what the city stands to lose if their decline continues unchecked.
