Number of pubs falls by over 7,000 in past decade

The number of English and Welsh pubs fell below 40,000 for the first time during the first half of 2022 with pub numbers having fallen by 7,107 in the last 10 years, new research has revealed.

Research by the real estate adviser Altus Group, found that the overall number of pubs in England and Wales, liable for business rates, including those vacant and being offered to let, fell to 39,973 at the end of the first half of the year down 200 compared with 40,173 at the end of the 2021 calendar year.

Robert Hayton, UK president at Altus Group, said: “whilst pubs proved remarkably resilient during the pandemic, they’re now facing new headwinds grappling with the cost of doing business crisis through soaring energy costs, inflationary pressures and tax rises.”

Meanwhile, UKHospitality CEO Kate Nicholls, said: “These figures are truly shocking but will come as no surprise to many in the industry. The overwhelming burden of taxation – particularly business rates – and red tape will have proved too much for many licensees.

“The pandemic intensified the distress that many business owners were facing, and in many cases business support was not enough to keep them afloat. While these are pub closures, there has been similar – sometimes worse – levels of closure across restaurants, nightclubs and broader hospitality.”

She added: “The current economic crisis increases the chances of further decline, with soaring costs in energy, food and drink, a higher VAT rate, falling consumer confidence and an acute labour shortage. For businesses struggling to repay Covid-related debt this could simply be too much.

“We need the Government to take urgent steps to remove barriers to growth, help to tackle the cost crisis we’re facing and support more people into work and training. Without this help, we could see thousands more pubs lost from their communities in the next few years.”