Rate of pub closures slows to 25 a week

Published: 16 March, 2011

The rate of pub closures has fallen from 40 per week down to 25, according to figures released by the British Beer & Pub Association.

The rate of pub closures has fallen from 40 per week down to 25, according to figures released by the British Beer & Pub Association.

The trade body has called on government to abandon plans for a 7% increase in beer tax in next week's Budget, in order to allow the sector to help bring the country out of recession.

Overall 1,300 pubs closed in 2010, and areas worst hit were London and the north west, which lost 276 and 146 pubs respectively in the last year.

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."

The BBPA says beer tax has risn by 26% since March 2008, and the "swingeing 7% planned duty rise" through the alcohol duty escalator, would see bar prices jump by up to 10p a pint. The association says that the combination of January's VAT increase means the Government is heading for the biggest ever tax hike on beer in a single year

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