MORE than 150 pubs have disappeared for good so far this year, and dozens more are at risk of closure.
Soaring energy costs, rising food bills and less consumer demand has been piling pressure on landlords, according to Government data.
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The data, which was analysed by real estate intelligence firm Atlus Group, showed that 153 pubs vanished for good in the first three months of this year.
The overall number of pubs in England and Wales, including those vacant and being offered to let, dropped to 39,634 at the end of the first quarter to March 31.
As many as 51 pubs were lost each month, compared with 32 pubs a month on average in 2022. Last year, 386 pubs were lost for good.
The British Beer and Pub Association warned that the average energy bill for a pub would rise by £18,400 a year from this month with the energy bill relief scheme ending.
The end of the Government energy support for business energy bills is set to wipe out any benefit from a reduction to property taxes, according to the real estate advisory firm.
Alex Probyn, president of property tax at Altus Group, said “Pubs have seen their values for the business rates tax fall 17% overall and, with measures taken at last year’s Autumn Statement, that will mean a tax saving of £5,500 for the average pub.
“But that simply won’t compensate for the energy support being lost, making plots even more attractive for alternative investment.”
Below we look at all the major pub chains including Wetherspoons and Marston’s that have closed, or are closing branches.
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Wetherspoons
Pub giant Wetherspoon has already closed over a dozen boozers across the UK, including in Hove, Derby and Wrexham.
In total, 31 pubs are still up for sale, or are currently under offer.
Under offer means that a buyer has presented an offer that is being considered by the seller.
It doesn’t mean that the sale is guaranteed, and it could still remain open if it doesn’t complete.
Last year, boss Tim Martin said far more people were now drinking in their homes rather than pubs.
Here we outline with Wetherspoons pubs have already closed, which ones are up for sale and those under offer.
The following 19 boozers have closed their doors for good:
- Harvest Moon, Orpington
- Alexander Bain, Wick
- Chapel an Gansblydhen, Bodmin
- Moon on the Square, Basildon
- Coal Orchard, Taunton
- Running Horse, Airside Doncaster Airport
- Wild Rose, Bootle
- Edmund Halley, Lee Green
- The Willow Grove, Southport
- Postal Order, Worcester
- North and South Wales Bank, Wrexham
- The Colombia Press, Watford
- Thomas Leaper, Derby
- Cliftonville, Hove
- The Malthouse, Willenhall
- Christopher Creeke, Bournemouth
- Milan Bar, Croydon
- Toll Gate, Turnpike Lane
- The Malthouse, Willenhall
The following 20 pubs are currently under offer:
- The Butlers Bell, Stafford
- The Percy Shaw, Halifax
- Foxley Hatch, Purley
- Asparagus, Battersea
- Millers Well, East Ham
- Hudson Bay, Forest Gate
- Angel, Islington
- The Billiard Hall, West Bromwich
- Capitol, Forest Hill
- The Bankers Draft, Eltham
- Moon on the Hill, Harrow
- Last Post, Loughton
- The General Sir Redvers Buller, Crediton
- The Hudson Bay, London
- Saltoun Inn, Fraserburgh
- The John Masefield, New Ferry
- The Alfred Herring, Palmers Green
- The Crosse Keys, London
- Silkstone Inn, Barnsley
- The Bank House, Cheltenham
The following 11 pubs are still up for sale and at risk of closing:
- Worlds Inn, Romford
- Wrong ‘Un, Bexleyheath
- Jolly Sailor, Hanham
- The Moon & Bell, Loughborough
- The Widow Frost, Mansfield
- The Rising Sun, Redditch – closing on April 16
- Sennockian, Sevenoaks
- Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis, Southampton
- Lord Arthur Lee, Fareham
- The Saltoun Inn, Fraserburgh
- Plough & Harrow, Hammersmith
Marston’s
Marston’s Brewery has put 61 pubs up for sale following a review of its estate.
Boozers in the Midlands, Yorkshire, Sussex and Wales have been put on the market by Marston’s.
The sale of the pubs are being managed by commercial real estate agency Christie & Co.
It doesn’t mean that venues will close yet, they’ll stay open until they are bought and the new owner may chose to keep the venue running as a pub.
Below is a full list of the 61 Marston Brewery sites up for sale:
- Admirals Table, Bridgwater
- Albert Vaults, Holyhead
- Bax Castle, Horsham
- Bedford Arms, Derby
- Bellflower, Preston
- Blacksmiths, Wakefield
- Blenheim, Derby
- Blue Pig, Kidderminster
- Bluebell, Telford
- Bradford Arms, Oswestry
- Bridge Inn, Richmond
- Bull & Butcher, Nottingham
- Bush Inn, Dudbey
- Crates & Grapes, Mansfield
- Crooked House, Dudley
- Cross Keys, Colwyn Bay
- Derwent Walk, Consett
- Duke of Wellington, Wrexham
- Evergreen Inn, Tenby
- Firebug, Leicester
- Floaters Mill, Fence Houses
- Fountain Inn, Stourbridge
- Garibaldi Inn, Stourbridge
- Gate Inn, Matlock
- George Hotel, Penrith
- Griffin, Halifax
- Hampden Arms, Wrexham
- Harlequin, Kettering
- Harry Watkins, Llanelli
- Heart of England, Northampton
- Jacksons Wharf, Hartlepool
- Jubilee Inn, Leicester
- King Charles, Ross-on-Wye
- King William, Dudley
- Malt Shovel, Matlock
- Marquess of Exeter, Oakham
- Mitre Oak, Stourport-on-Trent
- Oak Inn, Coventry
- Oxleathers, Stafford
- Pelican, Sailsbury
- Plough Inn, Newark
- Randlay Farmhouse, Telford
- Red Lion, Burton-on-Trent
- Red Lion, Telford
- Ring O’Bells, Mexborough
- Rising Sun, Huddersfield
- Rossmere, Cleveland
- Rutland Arms, Nottingham
- Saddlers Arms, Cardigan
- Spills Meadow, Dudley
- Spital Vaults, Chester
- Strickland Arms, Penrith
- Tafarn Pennionyn, Caernarfon
- Tipsy Terrace, Cleethorpes
- Top Monkey, Mold
- Twthill Vaults, Caernarfon
- Victoria Hotel, Dorchester
- Wellington, Pretson,
- Wheatsheaf, Mansfield
- White Lion, Wigan
- White Swan Inn, York
Stonegate
Pub giant Stonegate, which is behind brands such as Slug and Lettuce and Be At One, is looking to sell off pubs to pay down its debt pile.
The chain, which is owned by private equity firm TDR Capital, has racked up £2.6billion in debt and reportedly plans to sell 1,000 of its pubs for an estimated £800million.
The chain has 4,492 pubs, bars and nightclubs across the country.
Stonegate declined to comment when approached by The Sun – so it’s unclear for now which venues could close their doors.
It’s not just pubs that are looking to shut branches , high street stores and banks are among those scaling back this year.
Here we’ve listed all the closures taking place this week.
