Over 50 Pubs Closing Each Week

The BBC has reported that over 50 UK pubs are closing each week.  This is a sizeable increase in the rate of decline over a year ago.  The figures have been released by the British Beer and Pub Association.

Local pubs that do not provide a meal service are closing at the fastest rates as pub-goers, hit by the recession, choose to drink at home.  Other branded cafe-type establishments are still opening at around a rate of 8 per month. 

However, over 2000 pubs have closed in the last year and many publicans and industry figures blame the smoking ban, red tape, cheap supermarket alchohol and increasing tax bills.  Therse closures have resulted in thousands of job losses.

Many MPs are raising the loss of local community pubs in parliament and many communities are actively campaigning to save local pubs under threat of closure.  Pub landlords are also seeking support from major breweries.

Related: Pub Insurance