The pub closure statistics showed 554 pubs became classed as ‘long term closures’ during the last six months of 2022, meaning the sites had gone out of business or were standing empty without new tenants.
CAMRA chairman Nik Antona said: “These figures should be an urgent wake-up call for the Government.
Crucial role
“Without a support package in the Spring Budget, we risk losing more pubs which are at the heart of community life and play such a crucial role in bringing people together and tackling loneliness and social isolation.
“With the cost of doing business rocketing, energy costs sky-high and customers tightening their belts it is little wonder that hundreds of pubs across the country are closing for business or are standing empty.
“We know the licensed trade can thrive and drive growth in the economy, but only if the Government acts quickly.”
According to the data, England logged 480 closures during this period, an average of 18.5 per week, while Scotland and Wales logged 23 and 38, an average of 0.9 and 1.5, respectively.
Fighting chance
This follows similar calls from the British Beer & Pub Association, which earlier this week warned without a plan for sustainable growth the Government risks losing the country’s pubs and breweries forever.
Antona added: “CAMRA is calling on all pub goers to join our campaign for urgent help to save our pubs.
“This includes giving more help with energy bills from April, making the business rates system fairer for pubs and cutting tax on draught beer and cider by 20% to give our locals a fighting chance to compete with the likes of supermarket alcohol.”
