Pricey pints mean Britain now has fewer than 100,000 pubs

The number of pubs and bars in Britain has fallen below 100,000 for the first time ever as punters are put off by the price of a pint.

Over the past twenty years, more than 44,000 licensed premises have closed, leaving only 99,916 at the end of September this year.

Research by consultancy CGA/NIQ showed this was the lowest number since records began in 2003, as the pandemic and high costs accelerated closures.

Drinkers have been put off by rising prices, with a pint costing 74 cents more this year than last year.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the average pint of lager cost £4.62 in September, compared to £3.88 in the same month last year.

For sale: Drinkers put off by rising prices, with a pint costing 74 cents more this year than last

Kate Nicholls, from industry body UK Hospitality, called on Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to provide tax breaks to the pub industry.

“It could not only save more local and national businesses, but also enable investment,” she said.

The biggest losses over the past two decades have been booze-driven pubs, bars and nightclubs and independent operators versus larger chains.

However, the number of venues that focus on food, such as gastropubs, has increased, reflecting changing consumer behavior.