The number of pubs in England and Wales has hit a record low with more than 400 closing down in 2024 alone, according to research from Atlus Group.
There are now fewer than 39,000 for the first time ever.
Most pub closures happened within the first half of 2024, averaging at 50 a month. This balanced out to 34 a month across all 12 months in what was the worst year for closures since 2021.
London lost the largest number of pubs, falling by 55 to 3,470. Next worst hit was the West Midlands, with 3,904 pubs after losing 53.
Over 2,000 pubs have closed since the start of 2020, as inflation since the Covid pandemic has seen rising costs and falling consumer demand.
Alex Probyn, Altus Group said: “Many publicans that I speak to are extremely worried that this could be their last Christmas given the combination of hiking the amount employers will have to pay in national insurance, increases to the minimum wage and the business rates discount being slashed from 75 per cent to 40 per cent in 2025.
“Many pubs simply will no longer be viable, making plots even more attractive for alternative investment.”
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