The number of pubs in England and Wales has again fallen significantly due to high costs. In the second quarter, 230 bars closed their doors forever – around 50 percent more than at the beginning of the year. That’s according to government data compiled by real estate consultant Altus Group and published today.
In the first half of the year, a total of 383 pubs were demolished or converted into apartments, offices and kindergartens. That was around two every day and around as many as in the whole of 2022, when 386 restaurants closed. There were still 39,404 pubs in England and Wales at the end of June.
Altus expert Alex Probyn called on Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt to moderate the property tax rise planned for April. The restaurants suffered from high energy costs, low economic growth and high interest rates. “An average property tax increase of £12,385 next year is the last thing pubs need,” Probyn said.
Experts blame increased energy, labor and wholesale prices for the industry’s problems, as do declining disposable incomes of consumers. Many commuters also stayed away due to strikes in rail traffic. Large chains such as market leader Wetherspoons, which recently closed dozens of pubs, are just as affected as smaller pubs. According to analyses, there is growth in independent craft beer providers or themed pubs.
