05/05/2026
British pubs are disappearing at a rate of nearly two per day in 2026, with 161 closures and 2,400 job losses reported in the first quarter alone.
This current crisis reflects a staggering long-term decline; since CAMRA was founded in 1971, the UK has lost 40% of its pubs, falling from 75,000 to fewer than 45,000.
Despite a 15% tax relief measure introduced last month, the British Beer and Pub Association warns that "disproportionate" tax burdens and rising costs continue to wipe out profits.
The regional impact is uneven, with Scotland suffering the heaviest losses this year, while Wales remains the only region in Great Britain to report a slight increase in pub numbers.
Industry leaders are calling for a permanent overhaul of the hospitality tax system to prevent these treasured community hubs from being permanently lost to shifting consumer habits.
