More than 300 pubs have shut this year
More than 50 pubs have shut every month in England and Wales in the first half of this year, according to new data.
It’s no secret that ever since the Covid pandemic hit the nation, pubs have been struggling massively.
Just last week, Wetherspoons announced a number of its locations would be closing in the coming months, whilst Jeremy Clarkson has revealed the sobering reality of running his pub despite huge publicity and queues out the door.
Now, new analysis has highlighted just how much the industry has been hit this year – and there are warnings it could get even worse.
In the first six months of 2024, 305 pubs closed across England and Wales, according to real estate intelligence firm Altus Group.
This brought the total number of pubs in England and Wales to 39,096 at the end of June.
The majority of these closures have been in the north-west of England, which has lost 46 watering holes this year.
The south-west and the East Midlands had the next highest closures, with 37 each, while Wales had the fewest closures at 15.
In the financial year from April 1 2023 to March 31 2024, a total of 472 boozers shut their doors for good.
But with property tax rises set for next April, there are worries the rate of closures will only quicken.
Alex Probyn, president of property tax at Altus Group, said the combination of inflation and the removal of business rates relief are a “double whammy” for the industry.
He said: “The last thing pubs need is an average business rates hike of £12,160 next year through inflationary rises and the loss of the discount.”
A spokesperson for the British Beer and Pub Association said: “While we know that brewers and pubs pour billions into the economy, their massive contribution to society is priceless which is why any closure is devastating.
“Government must use this Budget to cut beer duty, reform business rates, and maintain 75% business rates relief so that pubs can remain a home from home.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver her budget next month, and reports suggest she is considering raising alcohol duties as part of efforts to plug what Labour says is a £22bn ‘black hole’ in public finances.
