Government urged to act as one pub closes every day

The industry body, which represents more than 20,000 pubs, estimated that 378 pubs will close this year across England, Wales, and Scotland, which would amount to more than 5,600 direct job losses.

However, the BBPA said “it is not too late” for the UK government to solve the issue by swiftly reforming business rates for the sector, which is amongst the most highly taxed industries in the UK.  

Countryside Alliance explained that pubs play a vital role across the country. They provide jobs to many people and support a wide variety of other businesses, including breweries and butchers. Research has shown that the beer and pub industry supports more than 1,000,000 jobs across Great Britain.

According to figures from 2024, the country’s beer and pub sector poured more than £34.4 billion into the economy and contributed more than £17.4 billion in taxes in just one year.

‘Backbone of rural communities’

Johnnie Furse, a spokesperson for the Countryside Alliance, said: “Rural pubs play a vital role combatting loneliness and mental health struggles in some of the country’s most isolated communities.

“Surveys among farmers have indicated that most believe mental ill-health to be the biggest problem in agriculture. Farmers work incredibly long hours, often on their own. They can spend many days, or even weeks, without proper opportunities to socialise, unwind, and open up about their struggles.”

Mr Furse added that countryside pubs are the “backbone of rural communities”, and represent one of the few hubs for locals, including farmers, to socialise, feel part of a community, and share their struggles.

But with pubs closing at an unprecedented rate, these important outlets for farmers are becoming increasingly few.

“It’s crucial that we all do our best to support our local pubs, and the Countryside Alliance supports industry calls for the government to cut beer duty, mitigate new employment and EPR (extended producer responsibility) costs, and proceed with meaningful business rates reform,” he concluded.

‘It’s not too late for a change’

The British Beer and Pub Association explained that the reduction of the cumulative tax and regulatory burden would help more pubs stay open, leading to more investment and jobs while also protecting spaces that, for many communities, are the only places left to gather. 

A British Beer and Pub Association spokesperson said: “With two out of three people saying pubs are vital for fending off loneliness, it is clear the public treasures them as essential community spaces.

“When a pub closes, it hurts not only the staff and local economy but, crucially, the communities who rely on them to meet and connect.

“That is why it is essential that government uses the Autumn Budget to introduce meaningful business rates reform so that pubs can keep the doors open and continue to be a roof under which people can gather.”

Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, explained that pubs are trading well, but most of the money that goes into the till goes straight back out in bills and taxes.

“For many it’s impossible to make a profit, which all too often leads to pubs turning off the lights for the last time. When a pub closes, it puts people out of a job, deprives communities of their heart and soul, and hurts the local economy.

“However, it’s not too late to change this sad state of affairs. We know government recognises the economic and social value of pubs, and we’re not asking for special treatment; we just want the sector’s rich potential unleashed.

“We’re calling on government to proceed with meaningful business rates reform, mitigate these eye-watering new employment and EPR costs, and cut beer duty,” Ms McClarkin added.

The projected 2025 figures compare to 350 closures in 2024.

For every three pounds spent in a pub, one pound goes straight to the tax man, the BBPA stressed.  

The association warned that pub closures will have a further impact on those who are part of the supply chain, including farmers, brewers, and other industries that form part of the sector’s wider eco-system. 

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