That's very true - my mate bought a pub with no trade, with the intention of closing it, and after 3 years he sold it as a pub, at a loss. In the shadow of North Peckham Estate [a real no-go after dark, and even in daylight], there was no evening trade especially in the winter, yet Southwark Council refused all his applications.

They made more money selling food at lunchtimes to the local builders than beer !!