50 pubs a month either closed or repurposed in first half of 2024 --[Reported by Umva mag]

'The last thing pubs need is an average business rates hike of £12,160 next year.'

Sep 22, 2024 - 23:23

50 pubs a month either closed or repurposed in first half of 2024 --[Reported by Umva mag]

Pint of English ale on a pub table and pints of Madri lager seen through the pub window on 9th May 2024 in London, United Kingdom. Beer prices in the UK have been on the rise with prices per pint increasing dramatically during the energy crisis and compounding the cost of living crisis. (photo by Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images) — On average 50 pubs a month were either closed or repurposed in the first half of 2024 (Picture: Mike Kemp)

More than 50 pubs a month on average were lost in England and Wales during the first half of 2024, according to new analysis of Government data.

Real estate intelligence firm Altus Group said the overall number of pubs, including those which were vacant or being offered to let, fell to 39,096 at the end of June.

The figure is down 305 versus the end of 2023, with the pubs either having closed down, been demolished or turned into something else.

Some pubs have been converted into homes, offices or even day nurseries.

The north west of England lost 46 pubs, which was the most of any region, during the first half of 2024.

Meanwhile, a total of 472 pubs called last orders for the final time during the whole of the financial year from April 1 2023 to March 31 2024.

London, United Kingdom - November 12 2020: A closed and boarded up Elephant's Head pub in Camden during the second national lockdown. — A closed and boarded up Elephant’s Head pub in Camden during the second national lockdown (Picture: VV Shots)

Pubs and restaurants took a hit during 2020 and 2021, closing for months at a time during Covid-19 lockdowns.

In 2022 and 2023, skyrocketing inflation caused their operating costs to rise, while the cost-of-living crisis depressed sales.

The industry has long called for reforms to business rates as a means of tackling the issue. Pubs currently have a 75% discount on the tax, but this will end in March 2025.

Alex Probyn, president of property tax at Altus Group, warned of a ‘double whammy’ of property tax rises for pubs next April.

He called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to use her autumn Budget on October 30 to extend the business rates relief.

He added that ‘the last thing pubs need is an average business rates hike of £12,160 next year through inflationary rises and the loss of the discount’.

People enjoying a drink outside the Market Porter pub Borough Market on 27th August 2024 in London, United Kingdom. Borough Market is a retail food market and farmers market in Southwark. It is one of the largest and oldest food markets in London, with a market on the site dating back to at least the 12th century. A farmers market is a physical retail marketplace intended to sell foods directly by farmers to consumers. (photo by Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images) — People enjoying a drink outside the Market Porter pub Borough Market on 27th August 2024 in London (Picture: Mike Kemp)

Separately, the British Beer and Pub Association recently called for a reduction in beer duty. Pubs currently make an average of 12p profit on each pint of beer once taxes and costs have been deducted.

Some in the industry have also voiced concerns over potential plans to ban outdoor smoking, including in beer gardens and outside stadiums.

In August, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the government would ‘take decisions’ on a potential outdoor smoking ban in an effort to curb preventable deaths and alleviate pressures on the NHS.

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