Recent figures from global tax firm Ryan showed the UK pub market continued to contract in 2025, with a total of 366 pubs lost for good last year, equating to one pub closure per day.
It means the total number of venues still trading in the UK has dropped from 38,989 to 38,623.
Breaking down the numbers by region, the East Midlands was the area most affected with 69 pub closures between December 2024 and 2025.
The north west was not far behind with 52 pubs lost while Yorkshire & Humber and the south west both saw 36 venues close. The west midlands saw the number of pubs in the region drop by 34.
Ongoing pressure
Meanwhile, some 32 pubs closed in London during the 12-month period, with the south east also losing 32 sites.
In the east, 28 pubs shut their doors for good and the north east lost 19 venues.
The pressure faced by pubs has continued into 2026, with global unrest pushing the cost of fuel, elevated interest rates, rising taxes, high energy prices, inflation and soaring wage costs hammering margins.
Last week, fresh data from NIQ estimated the number of licensed venues dropped by 0.3% in the first quarter of this year alone.
At the end of March 2026, there were 98,609 outlets, 305 fewer than in December 2025, equating to an average of 3.4 net closures a day, according to the latest Hospitality Market Monitor from NIQ, powered by CGA intelligence.
Permanently closed
A study published by Loughborough University earlier this week showed that when a pub shuts, the ramifications are felt deeply across communities, disrupting social networks, local identity and informal support systems that operators help sustain.
Meanwhile, a recent report by Punch Pubs highlighted that the average UK pub contributes up to £1.3m in economic and social value to its local community.
Ryan practice leader for Europe & Asia-Pacific property tax, Alex Probyn, told The MA: “These pubs have closed permanently, not temporarily.
“The buildings have been demolished or converted into housing, offices, nurseries, cafés or other uses. Once repurposed, they almost never return to pub use.”
