Over 500 pubs closed in 2023

Sobering figures have been released, showing that 509 pubs closed in 2023, with the sector once again calling on the chancellor for action in Spring Budget in March.

The data, provided by the British Beer and Pub Association, explains that the closure of 509 pubs equates to over 6,000 jobs being lost, denting the £26.2bn that the sector contributes to the UK economy, as well as the £15.1bn in tax revenue.

Pub numbers have declined by 3,000 in the last six years and currently stand at 45,306 around the country. 

The government needs to step up

"When a community loses a pub, it does not just lose the building and jobs, it loses a cultural asset at the heart of the community that is impossible to replace," says Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association. "In any local economy or community, pubs are an economic bellwether and there is an obvious connection between the loss of pubs and the decline of local high streets. 

"At the last Autumn Statement, the chancellor provided a number of measures to support the beer and pub sector, but now is the time to stop the rot and at this Budget we need to set a path to secure the long term sustainability for brewers and pubs with a cut to beer duty, a cap to the business rates multiplier and a reduction to the VAT applied for hospitality venues."

You may also be interested in…