I think it's really sad to see so many pubs closed, or becoming Thai or Indian restaurants, or "local" supermarkets. However things change, communities change, people change.
TV choice and cheap supermarket booze means people get more entertainment at home. Personally I don't think it's the pubco's fault, all they are doing is making a business out of the situation. Same seems to be happening in lots of trades, the big get bigger, and the small die.