Students yearn for friendly local pubs

The town-gown divide is narrowing as students outgrow the "cheap pint" culture, according to research by a pub chain. It says students want to swap their "drink anything so long as its cheap" image for a more sophisticated way of relaxing down at the local. Andrew Knight, of Punch Group Ltd, said: "Many students expressed a yearning for a good local and to be part of the community." The company has spent Pounds 300,000 on the new student local the Three Horse Shoes in Headingley, Leeds, that includes zoned off areas to allow customers to read newspapers, drink coffee, sit down for meals or watch live sports. A Leeds University Union spokeswoman said: "Students are local residents. Anything which helps to bridge the gap between local residents and students should be welcomed."