Pub culture is a cherished aspect of British life, extending across the UK, including Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. However, a growing number of pubs are facing closure, leaving communities without their cherished local gathering spots. This trend has become particularly pronounced in England and Wales, where pub closures have surged by a third during the initial months of 2024.
Government statistics reveal that 239 pubs were demolished or converted for other purposes in the first quarter of the year alone. Over the past year, a total of 472 pubs across England and Wales have permanently shut down, including some beloved Wetherspoons locations.
The data, compiled by commercial real estate experts at Altus Group, indicates that the total number of pubs in England and Wales, including vacant and available ones, dwindled to 39,162 by the end of March. This represents a decline from the 39,401 pubs recorded at the end of 2023.
The monthly closure rate has also escalated significantly, with approximately 80 pubs closing each month – a 56 percent rise compared to the 51 per month recorded in the first quarter of 2023. This trend has affected various regions, with the North West of England experiencing the highest number of closures, recording 35 closures during the first quarter of 2024. The West Midlands followed closely behind, with 30 closures.
The closure of these pubs has a multifaceted impact, with soaring energy and food prices, reduced consumer spending, and a substantial tax burden on hospitality businesses playing key roles. Pub industry leaders have called on major political parties to address these issues by implementing measures such as beer duty cuts and business rate reforms ahead of the General Election on July 4.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), emphasized the impact of these factors, stating, “The pub closure figures for the first quarter of this year reflect the ongoing high costs of doing business, particularly with factors like high energy costs and food and drink inflation remaining elevated.”
She further commented, “Trading conditions have also been affected by the unpredictable weather, and with £1 out of every £3 spent in pubs going directly to the taxman, the tax burden faced by the beer and pub sector is another cost factor that squeezes margins.”
Even established chains like Wetherspoons have not been immune to the closures. Wetherspoons has closed several pubs this year, with more than a dozen still under offer or up for sale across the UK. The popular pub chain’s portfolio has shrunk to 814 pubs, down from 955 in 2015. However, the company remains profitable, with owner Tim Martin claiming in a March statement that sales are “one third higher” than in 2015 despite the closures.
