Analysis of official Government data by real estate adviser Altus Group showed the overall number of pubs, including those vacant and being offered to let, fell to 39,787 in December 2022 down 386 compared with 40,173 vs the same period in 2021.
Whilst this was 13.1% down on last year’s levels, it equated to more than 32 pubs a month as the hospitality sector grappled with soaring energy and food costs teamed with weakened consumer demand.
Future support
Moreover, many pubs that remained open were forced to take drastic action to stay afloat such as reducing opening hours, temporary closures or axing food offerings.
Altus Group vice president Ben Nelson said: “Many publicans that I speak to are worried that this could be their last Christmas and really needed certainty about future support.”
This comes as the Government recently announced a delay to an announcement detailing future support for the sector until 2023, with the current support package for businesses set to run out in March next year.
Heart of communities
Wales lost the greatest number of pubs in 2022, according to the data, with numbers down 50 to 3,010 whilst the West Midlands saw the second largest decline of pubs, down 46 to 3,933.
Additionally, many pubs that have disappeared from the communities they once served were either demolished or converted into other types of premises such as homes, offices or even day nurseries with a total of 2,663 lost in the last 5 years, according to Altus.
Nelson added: “High operating costs and low margins make plots attractive for alternative investment and use so continued support is vital to protect pubs as they play an important role at the heart of their local communities.”