After two traditional pubs across Epping Forest district closed and with eight, pub closures per week in London and the South East, the Guardian has asked people what they think of pub closures and the effect they have on the community.

Joe Vaughan, 61 of Sunnyside Road said: “I’m sick of it. It happens everywhere, these are good family pubs where I can bring my children to and play with the others. Theydon Bois needs a place for the community and to watch football of course.”

Val Ryan of Church Road has owned three pubs in the East End, she said: “It’s simple, people don’t drink in pubs anymore. The tightening of laws on the smoking ban and even drink-driving have had a knock on effect - especially on village pubs.”

“It’s not a good business to go into now unless you’re food-led. If you want to open a restaurant then you have got a chance of surviving.”

Bill Ennis, 71, of Chapel Road: “I think it’s a pity, these places that have closed down were where we had our social events. It wasn’t just about drinking it was something more, the community developed around them, yet they always closed at 11pm.”

“Now we have these clubs open till 4am on the high street and trouble usually starts. Certain groups of people have a couple of shandies and they want to take the world on.”

Mary Nyman 82, of Church Hill said: “It is a mixture of both economic and cultural changes that they are closing down, the same for other small businesses and independent shops.

“I think the pub acts as a social centre but often there is nothing to replace them with when they’re torn down, so these spaces get rarer and rarer.

“It is a balancing act; if there is no custom then it is probably better to build something useful like housing.”

Alan Willis, 64, landlord at the Black Lion the oldest pub in Epping, said: “I am lucky this pub is listed, I want to move my family here and live here myself.

“We have such large overheads and we are squeezed from all directions. Whether it is increase in tax, the effects of the recession or trying to compete with the supermarkets.”

“If people use their local pubs they will not close.

“If a property developer comes in with an offer of £2 million I can see how other owners are going to find it hard to say no.”

Ebuwa Uwubamwen, 29, works at a law firm in High Street and is looking to move into the area.

“I’m looking for flats at the moment and there is such a great demand for housing in London. But there is a big sense of community here, I have worked here for just a month and everyone says hello.

“The closure of these pubs is not the end of this spirit but I think it represents the unravelling of a community.”