1,200 pubs ‘likely to close this year’

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) pub and club campaigns director Gary Timmins said the Chancellor should consider the figures as a “wake-up call” ahead of the Budget at the end of the month (30 October).

According to the organisation, the rate of pubs lost to conversion or demolition in England has slowed slightly in recent years as communities have made use of planning protection and the right to have a say on the future of their local pub.

CAMRA added thousands of licensees are now struggling to pull their pubs from the brink of closure as record numbers are forced to shut their doors.

It stated while new licensees step in to keep the pub open in many cases, this rate of churn highlighted a deeper issue as many new licensees find themselves battling the same high costs as their predecessors.

Shocking trend

CAMRA warned without meaningful Government action, pubs everywhere could be in jeopardy.

Timmins said: “Hardworking licensees who run busy and popular pubs should not be struggling to make ends meet.

“The trend in business closures our data has highlighted is truly shocking and I hope this is a wake-up call for the Government ahead of the Budget.

“Without meaningful change to our outdated and unfair tax system, this cycle will likely continue, with more licensees’ businesses failing, higher rates of pubs being shuttered to their communities and new operators stepping into an increasingly hostile business environment.

“CAMRA has called for a fundamental overhaul of the business rate system, a greater discount on the tax paid on pints at the bar and a new VAT rate for hospitality.

“Our campaigning relies on as many people as possible taking the time to get involved. With our simple online campaigning tool, it only takes a few minutes to contact your MP and every email makes a difference.”

Sector support

The graph from CAMRA illustrates the rate of shuttered pubs over the past few years. The number for 2024 is an extrapolation based on data for the year so far.

Data for 2020 and 2021 does not include mandatory closures from the pandemic. The data shows pubs closed for specific reasons including seeking a new owner, tenant or lease holder or being in the process of seeking planning permission for conversion or demolition.

Earlier this month (October), the British Beer & Pub Association (BPPA) warned “pubs will close​ and it will be the end of the affordable pint” without targeted support in the Budget.

In a letter signed by 80 senior figures from the sector, the trade body called for “urgent action” from the Government ahead of the fiscal event.

Furthermore, data from accountancy firm Price Bailey revealed 20% of the on-trade were technically insolvent with just over one in 10 at risk of imminent closure​.