UK News! Will the so-called Dryathelon do a lot of damage to Britain's struggling pub industry?

In January people are being encouraged not to drink any alcohol. That will mean many people taking part, will simply not bother going out to their local pub. No body is going to pay £3 for an orange juice or drink water.

(Btw I'm not taking part or sponsoring this dryathlon in any way!)

It maybe just 1 month but pubs make a lot of their money on the alcohol they serve. They buy in x number of barrels and have to pay for that from customers money. That may not sell and bills don't get paid.

A beer or wine goes well with socialising and conversation. That's why people go to pubs. If they're going to say alcohol free, they may just not bother with pubs and stay home. After a month they may feel comfortable staying home noticing that they've saved money and not bother going back to the pub. That is a customer lost.

The smoking ban did a lot of damage because a lot of people enjoyed a smoke with their pint at the bar. Now those customers are lost.

Many pubs are still recovering from the 2007 smoking ban which was a double whammy when they fell victim to the 2008 great recession. Money taken at the bar generally pays bills and debts and not huge profits.

Is it totally irresponsible of organisers to put on such an event at a time when local businesses are struggling?