Data from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) revealed the closures across England, Scotland and Wales equate to more than 2,400 job losses, which the trade body said half were younger workers’ jobs.
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The shuttering of sites was up by more than a quarter (26%) compared to the same period in 2025 (128).
This comes after analysis of data from global tax firm Ryan by The Morning Advertiser showed the East Midlands saw the most pub closures from December 2024 to December 2025.
Disproportionate tax burden
Furthermore, research from the latest Hospitality Market Monitor from NIQ, powered by CGA intelligence in April found the first three months of 2026 saw the number of licensed premises drop by 0.3%.
The BBPA called on the Government to deliver permanent, fair business rates reform alongside a cut in beer duty and VAT alongside reducing the regulatory burden.
BBPA CEO Emma McClarkin said: “The scale of these closures is avoidable because pubs are doing a brisk trade but their profits are wiped out by a disproportionate tax burden and huge costs.
“For too many, the sheer weight of taxes and regulatory costs have forced them to shut up shop, which will only hurt communities, workers and the wider economy.”
Fairer system
She added: “This underscores why [the] Government’s business rates relief was so necessary and the support such a welcome relief.
“We want to work with [the] Government to establish a permanent long-term plan that will deliver permanently lower bills, a fairer system and ultimately protect this treasured sector.
“This means more people in jobs, previous community spaces protected, vibrant high streets and more investment growth.”
Meanwhile, data from the trade body showed in 2025 the total net pub closure figure in the UK was 336 while over the past five years, there were almost 2,200 net pub closures, with the number of pubs dropping from 46,829 to 44,656 in 2025.
