In the first half of 2022, the number of pubs fell below 40,000, which is 7,000 less than ten years ago.
Closed pubs are either demolished or converted into residential homes or offices, according to a study by real estate industry consultancy Altus Group.
The authors of the study indicate that those pubs that managed to survive the pandemic are now threatened by high inflation and rapidly rising energy prices.
“Although pubs have shown considerable resilience during the pandemic, they are now experiencing new challenges as they struggle with the cost of doing business crisis caused by rising energy prices, inflationary pressures and rising taxes,” emphasizes Robert Hayton, UK head of Altus Group.
Between the end of last year and June this year, 200 pubs closed in England and Wales.
West Midlands suffered the biggest losses, where 28 pubs were closed within half a year. Meanwhile, both London and East Anglia have lost 24 pubs each.
Only 37% of businesses in the hospitality industry make a profit, according to research carried out by the British Beer and Pub Association in association with British Hoteliers and the UK Hospitality Institute.
Therefore, the industry is asking the government to provide more support.
“When pubs are forced to close, it’s a huge loss to a community and these figures paint a devastating picture of how villages, towns and cities across the country are losing their pubs,” said Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association.
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