More than 400 pubs shut doors for good as cost pressures rise

Chains secure the doors of a closed Fuller’s pub (Dominic Lipinski/PA) - (PA Archive)

The number of pubs in England and Wales dipped below 39,000 for the first time after hundreds of locals shut their doors for good this year, according to new figures.

Official Government statistics have revealed that 412 pubs were demolished or converted for other uses over the year to December.