More than 400 pubs vanish in England and Wales in 2021
The number of pubs liable for property taxes, for business rates, including those vacant and being offered to let, fell by 444 to 40173 in December, compared with 40617 a year earlier
More than 400 pubs have disappeared from communities in England and Wales as the number calling last orders flatlined despite the toll of the pandemic, according to real estate adviser Altus Group.
It revealed the number of pubs across England and Wales in 2021 was “largely unchanged” from last year.
The number of pubs liable for property taxes, for business rates, including those vacant and being offered to let, fell by 444 to 40,173 in December, compared with 40,617 a year earlier.
The figure means roughly 37 pubs have been demolished or converted for other uses, such as for homes or offices, each month in 2021.
However, recent data also shows a steadying in the sector, with 446 disappearing in 2020 and 473 disappearing in 2019, after pub numbers tumbled dramatically by 914 in 2018.
Nevertheless, it shows the continued fall in pub numbers across the UK, with 2,277 vanishing over the past four years.
The South West and North West regions have the highest number of pubs at 5,739 and 5,361 respectively, meanwhile, the North East and Wales have the lowest numbers at 1,983 and 3,060 respectively.
Robert Hayton, UK president at Altus Group, said “Pubs continue to bear the brunt of coronavirus restrictions but have, thankfully, proved remarkably resilient. However, it remains to be seen what impact Omicron has on numbers next year as this could be the straw that broke the camel’s back for many.”
