There are fewer pubs in England and Wales than ever before, according to analysis that sheds light on the ruinous impact of the pandemic and soaring business costs. The total number of pubs dropped below 40,000 during the first half of 2022, a fall of more than 7,000 since a decade ago.
Pubs that have disappeared from communities have been demolished or converted into other buildings such as homes and offices, the research from real estate advisers Altus Group said. The hospitality sector has faced immense challenges in recent years as it recovered from the pandemic, which saw national lockdowns causing closures and reduced demand.
But the researchers suggest that while pubs managed to battle through Covid, they are now facing a fresh challenge thanks to record-high inflation and an energy crisis. “Whilst pubs proved remarkably resilient during the pandemic, they’re now facing new headwinds grappling with the cost of doing business crisis through soaring energy costs, inflationary pressures and tax rises,” Robert Hayton, Altus Group’s UK president said.
