As of September 2025, there were 99,296 licensed premises with 572 net closures recorded in 12 months, equivalent to 11 every week, according to the latest Hospitality Market Monitor from CGA by NIQ. This means there are now 15,812 fewer premises than in March 2020.
However, there was more positive news in the latest quarter (three months to September) where licensed premises numbers rose by 0.6%, marking the first quarter-on-quarter rise for 12 months and the third since mid 2022.
Moreover, the monitor found the independent sector grew by 0.9% while the number of pubs and bars increased a little (0.1%) in the 12 months to September 2025 while restaurants and other food-led sites fell by 1.7%.
Very difficult trading environment
The pattern in the figures were similar to the trends reported in the CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker where managed pubs outpaced restaurants for growth in every month of 2025 so far.
CGA by NIQ director of hospitality operators and food EMEA Karl Chessell said: “High costs and fragile consumer confidence have created a very difficult trading environment for hospitality in 2025 and these numbers show the toll they have taken on venues.
“Against that backdrop, a modest rise in sites in the third quarter shows the sector’s impressive resilience.
“Well-run businesses continue to expand and the confidence of independent venues is particularly encouraging.”
Failure to act warning
Chessell added: “These businesses are working exceptionally hard to navigate multiple challenges and as the Budget nears, they will be hoping for respite on their disproportionately high costs.
“Government support can help nurture these green shoots of recovery but failure to act risks thousands more closures and job losses.”
Previous data recorded in the monitor in August found independent venues and food-led businesses bore the brunt of closures this year.
It showed the number of independently-run and leased or tenanted venues slipped by 0.1% and 3.3% respectively as they were more exposed to economic problems.
