The figures, from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), showed 300 pubs vanished from communities in England and Wales in 2024 – an equivalent of six sites a week.
Moreover, it meant 4,500 jobs were lost across the sector.
The regions that suffered the most from net pub closures were London at 1%, followed by East Midlands and West Midlands, with 0.9% closures. The North East suffered the least net closures at 0.3%.
Cumulative impact
Over the past five years, more than 2,250 venues closed their doors, with the total number of pubs falling from 47,613 at the start of 2019 to 45,345 at the start of 2024, according to the BBPA.
The cumulative impact of the Budget will create an extra £650m in costs for the sector, which, coupled with new employment costs, worsens the outlook for pubs, the BBPA said.
On top of this, for every three pounds spent in a pub, one pound goes straight to the tax man, the trade body stressed.
The BBPA also warned closures would impact the wider supply chain, including farmers and brewers.
However, it added the scale of closures could be halted if the Government sticks to its commitment to business rates reform, which must be “swiftly and meaningfully introduced”.
Meaningful support
With the beer and pub sector pouring more than £34bn into the economy in one year alone and supporting more than a million jobs, the BBPA urged the Government to remain “committed to supporting the sector”.
BBPA CEO Emma McClarkin said: “The scale of these closures is completely avoidable because pubs are doing a brisk trade.
“Consumer demand is there; however, profits are being wiped out with sky high bills and pubs are facing yet more rates and costs come April.
“We’re right behind Labour’s mission to supercharge growth and can deliver this economic boost across the UK, but only if it is easier for pubs to keep their doors open.
“Government must urgently bring in meaningful business rates reform and phase in new employment costs so pubs can keep boosting the economy, supporting local jobs, and remaining at the heart of communities.”
| Region | Pubs (2024) | % change | change |
|---|---|---|---|
| East of England | 3,741 | -0.70% | -27 |
| West Midlands | 3,975 | -0.90% | -38 |
| South West | 4,607 | -0.80% | -38 |
| North West | 5,214 | -0.60% | -33 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 4,288 | -0.80% | -34 |
| South East | 5,735 | -0.50% | -27 |
| London | 3,494 | -1% | -34 |
| North East | 1,948 | -0.30% | -6 |
| East Midlands | 3,634 | -0.90% | -33 |
| Wales | 2,924 | -0.60% | -19 |
