The number of pubs in England and Wales has fallen again, as the trend of public houses disappearing from local communities accelerated in 2024.
Altus Group, the commercial real estate company, reports that 412 pubs were demolished or converted for other uses over the past year. That pulls the number of pubs in operation across England and Wales down to 38,989, below 39,000 for the first time.
The sector also fears a hangover from October’s budget in 2025. Altus Group’s Alex Probyn said: “Many publicans that I speak to are extremely worried that this could be their last Christmas given the combination of hiking the amount employers will have to pay in national insurance, increases to the minimum wage and the business rates discount being slashed from 75% to 40% in 2025."
The leisure industry was also badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to a sharp drop in the number of nightclubs in operation – down from 1,700 in 2013 to 787 by June this year.
The pub industry is urging the government to ease the load on publicans.
Emma McClarkin, the chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “Brewers and pubs pour billions into the economy and support more than a million jobs, so we know that closures can have a disastrous impact for both the nation’s coffers and the job market.
“For the sector to remain a stalwart of the economy and continue to be the beating heart of our communities, the government must swiftly deliver permanent and meaningful business rate reforms.
“We stand ready to help the government bring in sorely needed change that will break down the barriers that stop our sector from contributing even more to the economy and employing more people than ever before.”
The agenda • 3pm GMT: US pending home sales for November • 3.30pm GMT: Dallas Fed manufacturing index
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People have been saving more, thanks to pay growth and cooling inflation, but they need to feel the benefits 
