Pubs are disappearing at an increasing rate as soaring energy bills and rising food prices pile pressure on landlords.
More than 150 have closed in the first three months of 2023 – a rise of almost 60 per cent on last year.
The overall number of pubs in England and Wales, including those vacant and being offered to let, dropped to 39,634 by March 31, according to analysis of government data by real estate firm Altus Group.
This is down 153 on the 39,787 recorded in England and Wales at the end of last year.
More than 150 have closed in the first three months of 2023 – a rise of almost 60 per cent on last year (stock image)
Fifty-one sites were lost each month, an increase from the 32 a month in 2022.
Pubs are no longer recorded in government data once they have been demolished or converted to homes, offices or day nurseries. Last year 386 venues were lost for good.
The British Beer and Pub Association warned that the average energy bill would rise by £18,400 a year from this month after the Government’s relief scheme wound down.
The end of the support for non-households’ energy bills is set to wipe out the benefit seen from reductions to property taxes, according to Altus Group.
Alex Probyn, of the firm, said: ‘Pubs have seen their values for the business rates tax fall 17 per cent 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.’
Kate Nicholls, of industry body UKHospitality, previously said: ‘For our members, energy bills have soared to become the determining cost for whether they are viable.’
