Legendary Birmingham reggae band UB40 has expressed deep concern over the rapid disappearance of the city’s cherished pubs, calling it “criminal” that so many community landmarks are vanishing.
This year marks the 47th anniversary of UB40’s debut performance at the Hare & Hounds pub in Kings Heath. Returning to the venue where it all began, the band reflected on how the city’s pub culture has changed — and suffered — over the decades.
In just the past year, beloved Birmingham pubs such as The Post Office Vaults, RedBeer’d, and The King’s Head have all closed their doors. Meanwhile, the historic Lad in the Lane, reputed to be Birmingham’s oldest pub, sits in Erdington in a state of decay with no clear plans for reopening.
Each pub closure represents a loss not only of local heritage but also of musical history. For example, the iconic music video for UB40’s “Red Red Wine” was filmed at the Eagle & Tun in Digbeth, a venue forced to shutter due to HS2 construction.
UB40’s lead singer Robin Campbell emphasized the critical importance of preserving pubs, stating: “I think it’s criminal for pubs to be disappearing, they should be listed buildings and looked after. They protect history just like stately homes, so why not pubs that are in immaculate condition and still thriving?”
Reflecting on how pubs once teemed with live music and cultural vitality, Campbell remarked, “When we started as kids 40 years ago, almost every pub had bands on. Birmingham has produced so many groups across genres — and they all got their start in pubs and clubs.”
However, economic pressures have drastically changed consumer habits. “The cost of a pint nowadays is prohibitive for young people, so they don’t frequent pubs as much,” said Campbell. “But pubs are something in Birmingham which should be cared about.”
Bandmate Matt Campbell echoed the sentiment, lamenting that Birmingham often fails to cherish its historic landmarks. “The closure of the Eagle & Tun was really sad — it was just allowed to happen. Just look at how the Black Sabbath Bench became a tourism hotspot. Pubs are part of Birmingham’s history and deserve protection.”
Drummer Jimmy Brown described the current challenges facing pubs: “The cost of living crisis and the smoking ban have hit pubs hard. Everyone used to head to the pub after work on Fridays, but now with rising prices controlled by big breweries, it’s almost impossible for pubs to survive.”
He also pointed out changing social trends among younger generations: “Young people don’t drink as much now and don’t go out as often. When they do, they tend not to get as drunk as we did. It sounds harsh, but the demand just isn’t there.”
UB40 is set to launch a worldwide tour this year, beginning in Paris, and will release a new album this summer.