A MAP has revealed the locations hit hardest by pub closures in 2024.
Approximately six pubs shut their doors for good every week last year, leading to an estimated 4,500 job losses, according to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA).
New data from the trade body revealed that 289 pubs in England and Wales called last orders for the final time in 2024.
The figures highlighted that the West Midlands and South West bore the brunt of closures, with 38 pubs shutting down in each region over the year.
London followed closely behind, losing 34 pubs, while Yorkshire and the Humber saw the same number of closures.
The East Midlands reported 33 closures, while both the East of England and the South East saw 27 pubs close their doors.
Wales lost 19 pubs in 2024, and the North East experienced the fewest closures, with just six pubs shutting down.
The closures come amid pressure from higher borrowing costs and high energy bills for businesses, alongside a continued squeeze on household finances as mortgage and rent costs increase.
Pubs are set to come under further pressure when a raft of cost increases linked to the October Budget, such as higher National Insurance contributions and an increase in the minimum wage, come into force in April.
Employers currently pay NICs for most workers earning more than £9,100 a year.
The sum they pay is the equivalent of 13.8% of the employee’s earnings above that threshold.
For an employee earning £30,000, for example, the employer would pay NICs of £2,884.20.
But in the Budget, the Government said it would increase the tax rate to 15% and reduce the threshold at which firms must pay to £5,000.
It’s estimated that the move will raise £25billion – the equivalent of around £800 per employee for each firm.
At the same time, the minimum wage will rise to £12.21 an hour next year, and the minimum wage for people aged 18-20 will rise to £10 an hour, an increase of £1.40.
The trade body has warned that the cumulative impact of the Budget will create an extra £650 million in costs for the sector, worsening the outlook for publicans.
It urged the Government to overhaul the current business rates system of property tax for high street firms, including pubs, to help ease the burden on the sector.
Many firms are also due to face increased costs in April, due to a planned reduction in the business rates discount for hospitality, leisure and retail firms from 75% to 40%.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “The scale of these closures is completely avoidable because pubs are doing a brisk trade.
“Consumer demand is there, however, profits are being wiped out with sky high bills and pubs are facing yet more rates and costs come April.
“We’re right behind Labour’s mission to supercharge growth and can deliver this economic boost across the UK, but only if it is easier for pubs to keep their doors open.
“Government must urgently bring in meaningful business rates reform and phase in new employment costs so pubs can keep boosting the economy, supporting local jobs, and remaining at the heart of communities.”
The latest data means that the number of pubs in England and Wales dropped from 47,613 in 2019 to 45,345 in 2024, the BBPA said.
A Government spokesman said: “Thriving pubs are often at the heart of our communities, and we’re taking action to support them by introducing a permanent, new lower business rate from 2026.
“More than half of all UK employers will either see a cut or no change in their National Insurance bills next year, and we’re doing more to support our high streets by tackling anti-social behaviour and empty properties.”
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
PINT PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE
The price of a pint has now hit £5.08 on average across the UK, but some brands will set you back far more.
Topping the list of most expensive brands is Beavertown Neck Oil, which will cost you an average of £6.36 a pint, according to a survey by The Morning Advertiser.
The trade mag has analysed the typical costs of over 30 beer brands, spanning categories such as lager, craft, cask, and stout and found the cheapest is Tennent’s at £4.02.
Second on the most expensive list was Peroni at £6.08, followed by Asahi at £5.92 and Birra Moretti at £5.82.
At the other end of the scale, BrewDog Punk IPA is the second cheapest pint and will set you back an average of £5.64, followed by Camden Hells at £5.64.
The survey also analysed the most expensive pints by brand for each of the UK’s main regions.
In London, Peroni takes the top spot at £6.93, reflecting the capital’s higher cost of living.
In the North East, Peroni and Asahi are the priciest options, both averaging £6.15.
Meanwhile, in the North West, Heineken leads at £6.75.
Beavertown Neck Oil dominates as the most expensive pint in several regions, costing £6.58 in the South East, £6.84 in the South West, £6.70 in Scotland, and £6.38 in Wales.
In the East and West Midlands, Beavertown Neck Oil is also the priciest, but at a more modest £5.70.
Overall, The Morning Advertiser‘s price pint survey found that the average price of a pint is now 26p higher than the £4.82 reported by the Office for National Statistics in December.
Beer prices have been pushed up due to a perfect storm of rule changes, including increases to taxes on alcohol, packaging and employer costs.
The trade publication routinely examines pint prices across various regions of the country.
The most expensive region is still London, where a pint costs £6.16 on average, and the cheapest is Midlands at £4.47.
