Pubs closures up 60% as energy and food inflation shock hits
Shocking figures show pub closures are up 60% on last year as rising utility bills and food prices put pressure on landlords
- More than 150 closed in the first three months of 2023, an increase of almost 60% compared to last year
- Fifty-one sites were lost each month, up from 32 per month in 2022.
Pubs are disappearing at an accelerating pace as skyrocketing utility bills and rising food prices put pressure on landlords.
More than 150 closed in the first three months of 2023 – an increase of nearly 60 percent from last year.
The total number of pubs in England and Wales, including those vacant and for rent, had fallen to 39,634 as of March 31, according to analysis of government data by real estate firm Altus Group.
This is 153 fewer than the 39,787 recorded in England and Wales at the end of last year.
More than 150 have closed in the first three months of 2023 — an increase of nearly 60 percent from last year (stock image)
Fifty-one sites were lost each month, up from 32 per month in 2022.
Pubs are no longer recorded in government records once they have been demolished or converted into homes, offices or nurseries. Last year, 386 locations were lost forever.
The British Beer and Pub Association warned that average utility bills could rise by £18,400 a year from this month after the government’s emergency relief scheme was halted.
The end of support for non-household energy bills will wipe out the benefit of property tax cuts, according to Altus Group.
Alex Probyn, from the company, said: ‘Pubs have seen their value before business tax rates drop by 17 per cent overall and, with measures taken at last year’s autumn statement, this represents £5,500 in tax savings for the average pub.
‘But that simply does not compensate for the loss of energy support, making plots even more attractive for alternative investments.’
Kate Nicholls, from industry association UKHospitality, previously said: ‘For our members, utility bills have skyrocketed to become the defining cost of whether they are viable.’