It seems victims of the credit crunch can't even drown their sorrows in the pub as punters start to feel the pinch.
A number of pubs across the borough have been forced to close in the past year after being hit with the smoking ban followed by the downturn in the economy.
Eight pubs, including The Railway Arms in West Drayton, The Wagon and Horses in Uxbridge, The Oak Tree in Hillingdon and The Reindeer in Northwood have so far called time at the bar.
Other pubs, including The Star in Hillingdon, and The Horse and Barge in Harefield, have also closed for several months before re-opening.
Licensing Sergeant Ian Meens said: "Some have re-opened, but they originally closed through financial problems. In addition there's probably been about 14 offlicences that have got new licenses. Off-licences are increasing in society and we're seeing pubs closing. People can go and buy several cans of beer for the same price of a pint, sit at home and smoke when they like."
On Friday the British Beer and Pub Association reported that 144 million fewer pints were sold from April to June this year compared with 2007.
Manager of the Abrook Arms, Harefield Road, Uxbridge, Martine Baxter-Parsons, 32, told the Gazette how the pub had been hit hard by the credit crunch and smoking ban.
She said: "It quietened down dramatically last month. People have been asking the price of things for the first time in the two years that I've been here.
"Some people ask for house wine rather than the more expensive alternatives. I have seen people put their hands in their pockets, take out what's left and walk out. We are going to be massively impacted in the winter."
Last winter Ms Baxter-Parsons said profits were down £1,000 a week although the recent good weather had improved sales.
But publican of The Turks Head in Hillingdon, Ivan Collingwood, 33, masterminded a way of tackling the problem by sponsoring Sunday football teams with free lunches.
Players have so far doubled profits by spending their afternoons drinking in the pub.
He added: "It slipped here for a few weeks about three or four weeks ago and I've had to put in a lot of effort to change that.
"The smoking ban has definitely had an affect, not just on this pub, but on all businesses."
