32 pubs a month disappear in 2022

By Rebecca Weller

- Last updated on GMT

Drastic action: 386 pubs disappeared during 2022 (Credit: Getty/whitemay)
Drastic action: 386 pubs disappeared during 2022 (Credit: Getty/whitemay)
More than 32 pubs a month disappeared in England and Wales during 2022, latest data has revealed.

Analysis of official Government data by real estate adviser Altus Group showed the overall number of pubs, including those vacant and being offered to let, fell to 39,787 in December 2022 down 386 compared with 40,173 vs the same period in 2021.

Whilst this was 13.1% down on last year’s levels, it equated to more than 32 pubs a month as the hospitality sector grappled with soaring energy and food costs teamed with weakened consumer demand.

Future support 

Moreover, many pubs that remained open were forced to take drastic action to stay afloat such as reducing ​opening hours, temporary closures or axing food offerings.

Altus Group vice president Ben Nelson said: “Many publicans that I speak to are worried that this could be their last Christmas and really needed certainty about future support.”

End of 2021

End of 2022

Difference

Region

Number of Pubs

East

3,766

3,726

40

East Midlands

3,610

3,578

32

London

3,604

3,563

41

North East

1,983

1,959

24

North West

5,361

5,322

39

South East

5,739

5,706

33

South West

4,726

4,682

44

Wales

3,060

3,010

50

West Midlands

3,979

3,933

46

Yorkshire/Humberside

4,345

4,308

37

TOTAL

40,173

39,787

386

This comes as the Government recently announced a delay ​to an announcement detailing future support for the sector until 2023, with the current support package for businesses set to run out in March next year.

Heart of communities 

Wales lost the greatest number of pubs in 2022, according to the data, with numbers down 50 to 3,010 whilst the West Midlands saw the second largest decline of pubs, down 46 to 3,933.

Additionally, many pubs that have disappeared from the communities they once served were either demolished or converted into other types of premises such as homes, offices or even day nurseries with a total of 2,663 lost in the last 5 years, according to Altus.

Nelson added: “High operating costs and low margins make plots attractive for alternative investment and use so continued support is vital to protect pubs as they play an important role at the heart of their local communities.”

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