BBC reports that the number of pubs in England and Wales has hits it lowest level on record, according to new research from real estate consultancy Altus Group

According to the data, there were 39,970 pubs in June, down by more than 7,000 since 2012.

The Group has warned that after struggling through Covid the industry now faced soaring prices and higher energy costs.

The government said it had slashed taxes to help, but industry groups urged it to do more.

According to Altus, 400 pubs in England and Wales closed last year and some 200 shut in the first half of 2022, bringing the total number of pubs down to its lowest level since Altus's records began in 2005.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), comments:

"When pubs are forced to close it's a huge loss to the local community, and these numbers paint a devastating picture of how pubs are being lost in villages, towns and cities across the country...It's essential that we receive relief to ease these pressures or we really do risk losing more pubs year on year."

If this is an issue for your community there are RSN members that can help:
- Plunkett Foundation
- Pub is the Hub

Full article:

The BBC - Pub numbers fall to lowest on record