More than CD pubs in of England and Wales are closing their doors for good this year against rising recession costs and cautious spending among consumers.
The number of pubs fell below 39,000 for the first time, as 412 restaurants were demolished or converted to other uses in the year to December, according to an analysis of government figures by data firm Altus Group. Most of the repairs happened in the first part of the year.
The total number of pubs in England and Wales, including vacancies and offers, came to 38,989. number of pub joints accelerated this year
More than 34 restaurants closed each month, on average, the sharpest fall in pub numbers since 2021, when the hospitality sector was hit by Covid-19 lockdowns and soaring energy prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
London has lost the most pubs this year, from 55 to 3,470 at the end of the year. In the Midwest, pub numbers dropped from 53 to 3,904.
Since the beginning of 2020, more than 2,000 restaurants have closed, under pressure from rising costs while consumers struggle with higher rents and lower mortgage payments.
Pub workers and other companies have yet to face an increase in spending from April, when many budgets will start to take effect from the autumn.
The High Group’s Alex Probyn said: “Many taxpayers I speak to are very worried that this could be their next Christmas date combined with hiking the amount employers will have to pay in national insurance, increases to the minimum wage and business discounts. Combined from 75% to 40% in 2015
He added: “Many restaurants will simply no longer be viable, making the machines even more attractive as a way to invest.”
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “Brewers and pubs pour billions into the economy and support more than a million jobs, so we know closures can have such a devastating impact on the nation’s coffers and job market.”
He called on the government to “deliver permanent and significant business reforms quickly.”
In response to the Covid pandemic, hospitality businesses were given 100% government support rates between 2020 and 2022. This has been cut to 75%, and will be removed from next April.