Traditional backstreet pubs are being put out of business by cheap drink promotions from huge national chains.

This is the warning from landlord Graham Martin from the Coopers Cask, Bower Lane, Maidstone, who said it was impossible to compete with prices such as the controversial 80p a drink deal at Jumpin Jaks, Lockmeadow, reported by the Kent Messenger last week.

Mr Martin said most smaller pubs would be selling drinks at a loss if they reduced their prices in a similar fashion.

He said pubs such as his, which are tied to a brewery and have to buy their alcohol at a set price, have already been hit by a loss of trade from the smoking ban and rising energy prices.

He said: “It is knocking the stuffing out of places like us.

“We just have to hope that people choose locals over cheap drinks. In your local you are a person rather than a number and you do get treated differently.”

Clubs and pubs in Maidstone town centre have also responded to the 80p drinks deal.

Fears had been raised that the cheap booze would lead to a pricing war between Maidstone’s nightspots.

However, this week the town’s other night spots announced another tactic to give customers something special.

Strawberry Moons owner Robert Wilson revealed details of a joint inactive between drinking venues in Maidstone that would see them working together to try and give revellers an even better evening.

Under the initiative, called TOTTI (Top of the Town Incentives), customers will be able to hop between bars without paying different entrance fees. Instead they will pay for one venue and then get a stamp which will allow them access to other bars.

There will also be themed nights promoted by all the bars to try and give the town a boost.

Mr Wilson said: “We are basically all working together under one banner.

“We want to create one giant atmosphere instead of just giving away cheap drinks which could lead to an increase in trouble.”

TOTTI kicks off on Friday, September 26.