The number of pubs in England and Wales falls to a record low

There are fewer pubs in England and Wales than ever before, according to an analysis that highlights the disastrous impact of the coronavirus pandemic and soaring business costs .

Total number of ads fell below 40,000 in the first half of 2022, down more than 7,000 from a decade ago .

Pubs that have disappeared from communities have been demolished or converted into other buildings such as homes and offices, according to research by property advisors Altus Group.< /p>

The hospitality industry has faced immense challenges in recent years as it recovers from the pandemic, which has led to nationwide shutdowns that have caused closures and reduced demand.

However, researchers suggest that while pubs have been successful in tackling Covid-19, they face a new challenge due to record inflation and an energy crisis.

"While pubs have proven remarkably resilient during the pandemic, they are now facing new challenges. new headwinds grappling with the crisis in the cost of doing business due to soaring energy costs, inflationary pressures and tax hikes,” said Robert Hayton, UK Chairman of Altus Group.

Two hundred pubs disappeared from English and Welsh communities from the end of 2021 to the end of June.

The biggest drop was in the West Midlands – 28 in just six months – followed by London and the East of England, which both lost 24.

Pubs in the overall tally are those who must pay business fares, including those vacant and offered for hire.

According to a study by the British Beer and Pub Association, from the British Institute of Innkeeping and UK Hospitality, only 37% of hotel businesses are making a profit.

Rising cost of energy, property and labor Labor has been identified as the main factors behind the fall in profits.

The hospitality industry has asked the government to provide more support.

Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the BBPA, said: "When pubs are forced to close it is a huge loss for the local community, and these figures paint a devastating picture of the way pubs are lost in villages, towns and cities across the country.

"As an industry, we have just gone through the toughest two years hard to remember, and we are now faced with the challenge of extreme cost increases, with only one in three hotel businesses currently profitable.

"It's critical that we receive relief to alleviate these pressures or we really risk losing more ads year on year."

Last week, pub bosses warned of the impact of rail strikes on hotel business sales, adding to existing problems of rising prices and falling consumer demand.

Clive Watson, a co-founder of City Pub Group in London, said in June that he could have lost up to 25% of his usual sales because industrial action led to people to cancel outings.