Ridiculously expensive pints, fitness apps, and a generation that prefers Twitter to draught bitter.

No, it's not a new depressing verse of the 12 Days of Christmas, but simply the state of affairs leaving publicans feeling less than festive as they struggle to survive.

But it's not all bad news, and many pubs aren't giving up the fight as they look to an upturn in trade next year.

Here are some of the pubs we lost this year, and a couple that are fighting back from the brink.

The Bull Inn, East Farleigh

A long-standing fixture at the corner of Lower Road and Station Hill, The Bull sadly closed its doors earlier this year and has remained shut since.

In November it transpired the pub was the focus of an investigation by Maidstone council and police due to animal welfare concerns.

Earlier that year calls from neighbours had raised concerns about the pub, which had been home to a petting zoo with ponies, goats, ducks, rabbits and more.

The future of the Bull still hangs in the balance, but if its doors are to remain shut it will mark the end of a long history.

While the current building dates back to the turn of the 20th Century, a former building, demolished in 1899, is thought to date back several centuries.

An article from the Daily Graphic, published on Saturday September 25, 1897, described 'the Old Bull Inn' two years before its demolition, as "one of those half-timbered inns which harmonise so well with an English landscape".

It added: "Midway in the road, between the entrance to the churchyard and the timbered front of the inn, is a little group of chestnut trees, and beneath them a mounting block of four courses of stones.

"For centuries before the days of the bicycle and the steam engine the traveller bound to Maidstone, to Rochester, or southward to the seashore, has mounted his pad nag here after refreshing the inner man at The Bull, and there the worn stones still stand, a humble monument of the days when journeys were made on horseback and when this charming valley of the upper Medway knew no such sounds as the steam whistle or cycle bell."

King and Queen, Edenbridge
When KentOnline's Secret Drinker visited Edenbridge earlier this month he discovered a gem of a pub in The Old Eden, but just down the road was a sadder sight – the closed doors of the King and Queen.

A Halloween disco advertised on its chalkboard suggested the closure had been fairly recent, and a planning noticed in the window announced the pub was due to become three dwellings.

But the fate of the old building is not yet sealed.

Although a planning application has been submitted to Sevenoaks – to add extensions to the ground and first floors, and convert the pub into three homes – it's yet to be determined.

A planning statement from applicants states: "The property is currently vacant, with the pub having closed as it proved economically unviable", but could new ownership turn the venue around once again?

Beer Seller, Tonbridge

The outcry over the closure of the Beer Seller pub in Tonbridge in September, showed even how even popular progressive venues were struggling in tough economic conditions.

Launched in 2018 as an an alternative 'Quirky Free House', the pub drew some devoted followers and won praise from the Secret Drinker, who in April wrote: "The Beer Seller might not be exactly what you’d expect to find on Tonbridge High Street, with an old tin roof and plenty of eclectic furnishings but this is every inch a proper pub with all the essentials and I consider myself very lucky to have found it.

"Great beer, chatty/friendly locals, an assorted pack of loveable hounds and a barman who looks like Jesus and isn't afraid to mildly abuse you – what’s not to like?"

News that the pub was ringing last orders for good in September, was met with sadness as managers announced the business had "never managed to recover from the impact of Covid and the knock on effects it has had on our pub".

They added: "We want to thank all of our amazing customers and awesome suppliers for your support over the past four years and of course our brilliant team. There have been many special days and nights in here that will never be forgotten."

Among those mourning the loss of the Beer Seller, was one regular who wrote on Facebook: "This is really tragic, by far the best pub in Tonbridge, and so good I could even pursuade people to come over from Tunbridge Wells to visit. Really sad also as all the staff are brilliant people."

The Dirty Habit, Hollingbourne

As if it wasn't hard enough trying to weather the economic climate, October brought tragedy for the Dirty Habit in Hollingbourne in the form of a devastating fire.

The pub, part of popular chain run by Elite Pubs, was forced to close its doors indefinitely after a blaze tore through the building on October 9.

Nevertheless, despite devastating fire damage bosses aim to rebuild, with a grand reopening next winter.

It means that with any luck the fire will eventually just be another footnote in the centuries-old history of the Dirty Habit.

While the current building dates back to the early 18th Century, an inn is thought to have stood on the site under the guise of Ye Olde Pilgrim’s Rest’e for centuries before, as far back as the 11th Century – making it one of the oldest pubs in Kent.

The Wig and Gown, Dartford

New Year's Eve will sadly be a final send-off for the family-run Wig and Gown in Dartford.

Owners said they were being forced to call time for good at the end of the year, due to rising costs and falling visitor numbers.

Pub manager Yvonne Rickards took on the lease at the Grade II-listed venue in Spital Street – previously named The Court House – in 2018 and the pub opened its doors to customers that June.

But she said the pandemic followed by the cost of living crisis had affected their fortunes.

"We've worked really hard at it but it's costing more and more," she said. "The government is no help. They didn't give anyone a chance to rebuild after Covid."

"I don't think it'll ever open as a pub again unless someone has got a lot of money behind them."

King George V, Brompton

The landlord of historic military pub The King George V in Brompton is also calling time on New Year's Eve.

Dating back to 1690, the pub will close for essential improvements to be carried out leaving its future as a licensed premises uncertain.

Licensee John Brice, who has been behind the bar of the "KG5" with wife Diane for 20 years, will not be returning to the helm but hopes it will remain a pub.

Nevertheless he said it was a difficult economic environment for pubs, with changing drinking habits since lockdown and high business rates.

Mr Brice said: "The works necessary now involve the cellar and the two floors above the bar area so that disruption to customers would be unacceptable.

"Our letting rooms are an important part of the pub income, so it is vital we get them back in use as soon as we can.

"It is also a tough time for the pub industry with the increasing costs of power, food, staff and drinks – some of them big rises.

"Beer prices have gone up twice since we last passed them on to customers. In the New Year most will cost us an extra 15% more, so we will take time to see how the marketplace settles."

The Red Lion, Stodmarsh, near Canterbury

There was shock for regulars at The Red Lion in Stodmarsh this year, when the pub was found to be boarded up.

The 200-year-old pub, best known for its adventurous menu, shut in September with a hand-written note left on the door stating "pub now closed".

Owned by the Fun Pub Company the pub was was being run by tenants Mark Winstone and Morgan Lewis, and Mr Winstone later stated they had been forced to take the decision due to a slump in trade and rocketing energy bills.

He told KentOnline: "We have seen a decline in business this summer which together with sky high energy bills has just mean it wasn't viable

"For example, our electricity bill had gone up from £4,500 a quarter to the same amount a month.

"It's heartbreaking because we had a great team who worked really hard.

"But it's only a little village and like many in hospitality we have been struggling. Sadly, I think many others will end up having to close too."

The Dancing Dog Saloon, near Sittingbourne

It was a familiar story at The Dancing Dog Saloon, when landlord Shaun Egan explained rising costs had forced them to close in April.

The beloved western-themed pub in Sheppey Way, between Bobbing and Iwade, near Sittingbourne, had been a popular spot with musicians and villagers since it opened in 2002 – but sadly its popularity was not enough to keep it going.

Shaun Egan, landlord of 20 years, said: "Our last straw was the pandemic.

"We were putting our own money into the establishment way before that, but with rising costs we decided that we just couldn't go on."

He added: "We're very sad that we had to close and we're not happy about it but the saloon was no longer financially viable.

"Hopefully something new will take its place."

Monks Head, Snodland

There was sad news in Snodland in June when the Monks Head closed its doors, leaving the Freemasons Arms as the town's last refuge for pub fans.

Reports suggested the closure was long term, with no time-frame given for a possible re-opening – but thankfully this depressing round-up of bad news for pubs can end on a high.

Now under new ownership the Monks Head opened officially at the end of November, and landlord Lee Kitcat has been busy transforming it back into a great "traditional family friendly pub."

A darts area, pool table, garden and regular entertainment are all among the attractions, while furniture has been brought in for a new restaurant area.