New data has revealed that 239 English and Welsh pubs were either demolished or converted for other uses in the first quarter of 2024.
It means around 80 pubs shut each month, representing a 56% increase on the closure of 51 pubs a month over the first quarter of 2023.
Sector leaders have said the data reflects the impact of high energy and food costs, tighter consumer spending and a significant tax burden on hospitality businesses.
The data, gathered from UK Government figures by real estate specialists Altus Group, shows that approximately 80 pubs closed per month in the period to 31 March 2024.
This means that whereas there were 39,401 pubs in England and Wales at the end of 2023, by the end of March 2024, there were 39,162.
The region to have suffered the biggest hit was North West England, which lost 35 during Q1 2024.
A growing number of pubs have disappeared from communities they once served after being demolished or converted for uses such as homes, offices and nurseries.
Over the past year, a total of 472 pubs across England and Wales left communities for good.
Last week as political parties released their manifestos pub and brewery group bosses called for an immediate cut beer duty and demanded business rates reform ahead of next month’s General Election.
Alex Probyn, president of property tax at Altus Group, said:
“The fundamental issue for business is not necessarily the system but how much tax it actually generates.
“It is a tax that has risen 49% during the last 14 years with business, across all sectors, now paying £9.48 billion a year more than in 2010.
“Whilst the pledges are welcome to drive down bills permanently for the high street, business had hoped for more detail and a timeframe in achieving this.”
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), said:
“The pub closure figures for the first quarter of this year are a reflection of the continuing high costs of doing business, especially with factors like high energy costs and food and drink inflation remaining higher than the topline inflation rate.
“Trading conditions have also not been helped with the varied weather than we have experienced, and in addition, with £1 out of every £3 being spent in pubs going directly to the taxman, the tax burden with which the beer and pub sector must grapple is another cost component which squeezes margin.
“Last week saw the publication of the various party manifestos with the parties making different pledges to reform business rates, which combine with previous promises to recognise the importance of the sector for communities and the wider economy.
“It is for this reason why it will be essential that the next Government puts in place a fiscal and regulatory framework that makes sure that the sector does not survive, but thrives.”
