A pub on Turf Moor in Burnley: More and more pubs are being demolished or converted to flats and offices.
(dpa) According to a recent analysis, the number of pubs in England and Wales has fallen to an all-time low. There were fewer than 40,000 pubs in the first half of this year, according to an analysis by real estate consultants Altus Group released on Monday. That’s 7,000 fewer than a decade ago. Pubs have been demolished or converted into apartments and offices. Altus stressed that in the wake of the lockdown pandemic, the hospitality industry has been hit by record high inflation and skyrocketing energy costs.
Between the end of 2021 and June alone, around 200 pubs disappeared. The West Midlands around the metropolis of Birmingham, as well as London and eastern England were particularly affected. According to the industry associations British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), British Institute of Innkeeping and UK Hospitality, only a good third (37 percent) of the establishments are profitable.
BBPA boss Emma McClarkin called for state aid. “It is vital that we get relief to ease that pressure or we risk losing more pubs year after year,” she said.