BBPA calls for govt action as 300 pubs closed for good in 2024
As pubs and breweries are amongst the most heavily taxed business sectors in the UK, the BBPA believes that an overhaul of business rates would slow down closures
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) said that urgent government action is needed to halt “completely avoidable” closures, as its latest figures showed that nearly 300 pubs closed across England and Wales last year – an equivalent of six a week.
The industry body, which represents more than 20,000 pubs, reported a total of 289 pub closures in 2024, which equated to more than 4,500 job losses alone.
The regions that suffered the most from net pub closures were London at 1%, followed by the East Midlands and West Midlands, with 0.9% closures. The north east suffered the least closures, with 0.3% net closures.
The BBPA warned that pub closures will have a further impact on those who are part of the supply chain, including farmers, brewers and other industries who form part of the sector’s wider eco-system.
According to the BBPA, this scale of closures can be halted if the government sticks to its commitment to business rates reform, which must be “swiftly and meaningfully” introduced. The association stressed “that for every £3 spent in a pub, £1 currently goes straight to the tax man”.
As pubs and breweries are amongst the most heavily taxed business sectors in the UK, the BBPA believes that an overhaul of business rates would slow down closures.
Emma McClarkin, CEO of the BBPA, said: “The scale of these closures is completely avoidable because pubs are doing a brisk trade. Consumer demand is there, however, profits are being wiped out with sky high bills and pubs are facing yet more rates and costs come April.
“We’re right behind Labour’s mission to supercharge growth and can deliver this economic boost across the UK, but only if it is easier for pubs to keep their doors open.”
She added: “The government must urgently bring in meaningful business rates reform and phase in new employment costs so pubs can keep boosting the economy, supporting local jobs, and remaining at the heart of communities.”
The BBPA stated that the end of business rates relief, new employment costs, and the beer bottle tax will result in £650m in extra costs for the pub sector.
Over the last five years, there were more than 2,250 pub closures, with the number of pubs falling from 47,613 at the start of 2019 to 45,345 at the start of 2024.
