Pub closures slow to 25 a week

16 March 2011 by
Pub closures slow to 25 a week

Pub closures have slowed slightly but pubs are still shutting their doors at the rate of 25 a week across Britain.

That's the warning from the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), which has once again renewed its call on the Government to abandon plans for an increase in beer tax in next week's Budget.

At their peak last year, closures were running at 40 per week. The BBPA said there were 1,300 fewer pubs in Britain by the end of 2010, resulting in the loss of 13,000 jobs across the country. The rate of losses is highest in London and the North West.

BBPA chief executive, Brigid Simmonds, said: "The closure of 25 pubs every week is bad news for the economy, as the sector plays such a vital role. It's also a blow for local communities, with pubs often acting as the hub of local life.

"With the right policies, this vital part of our tourism and hospitality sector could be creating new jobs, and helping to bring Britain out of recession. If we really do have a pub-friendly Government, as the Prime Minister says, the time to act is now - with a freeze in beer duty in the Budget."

Singer Paul Heaton to cycle 1,000 miles to highlight British pub closures >>

Rate of pub closures slows down, says BBPA >>

Pub closures rise to 39 a week >>

By Neil Gerrard

E-mail your comments to Neil Gerrard here.

If you have something to say on this story or anything else join the debate at Table Talk - Caterer's new networking forum. Go to www.caterersearch.com/tabletalk

Caterersearch.com jobs

Looking for a new job? Find your next job here with Caterersearch.com jobs

[Newsletters For the latest hospitality news, sign up for our e-mail newsletters.
The Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email

Start the working day with The Caterer’s free breakfast briefing email

Sign Up and manage your preferences below

Check mark icon
Thank you

You have successfully signed up for the Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email and will hear from us soon!

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.

close

Ad Blocker detected

We have noticed you are using an adblocker and – although we support freedom of choice – we would like to ask you to enable ads on our site. They are an important revenue source which supports free access of our website's content, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.

trade tracker pixel tracking