More than 400 pubs closed in Britain in a year

 Saturday, January 18, 2025

Islamabad (News International / Pakistan News - DW News - 18 January 2025) The data was published by the commercial real estate company “Altus Group”, according to which the total number of pubs in England and Wales has decreased to 38,989, some of which are still vacant for rent and other businesses have started in some buildings.

According to this data, on average, at least thirty-four pubs are closing every month.

Earlier in 2021, pubs were closed very rapidly across the UK during the Covid-19 era.

It should be noted that 2021 is the year when this and other businesses faced a lot of losses due to Covid-19 and rising energy prices.

This latest data has come at a time when consumers are being very careful in their spending due to rising inflation.

A number of policies are set to come into effect before the autumn budget in April 2025, which are likely to put further pressure on pub owners.

Alex Probin of the Altus Group says many pub owners are worried that this could be their last Christmas, as they will now have to pay more insurance, increasing their costs.

Probin adds that many pubs will no longer be financially viable and the buildings they occupy may become attractive alternative investment properties.

Emma McLarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pubs Association, said: “Breweries generate billions of pounds in revenue and employ millions of people, so this shows us that their closures would have a devastating impact on both the national treasury and the job market.”

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She added that the sector is a strong pillar of the economy, adding that “it is a hallmark of our society, the government must urgently implement lasting and meaningful reforms to boost business.”

The latest figures also show that London has seen the most pub closures in the UK, with 55, followed by the West Midlands, with 53 pubs.