Do you visit the pub less often due to rising costs? Take our poll

19 February 2024 , 11:10

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The British Beer and Pub Association says 750 more pubs could shut in the first half of 2024. (Image: Getty)

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to hit us in the pocket, how many of us can still afford a trip to the pub in an effort to cheer ourselves up?

Not as many as your favourite watering hole would like - with struggling publicans warning our much-loved local is at risk of disappearing forever unless the government steps in. Weary landlords told The Mirror they are being hammered by soaring energy bills as well as rising business rates, supplier costs and high VAT.

British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) data has shown that 509 UK pubs called last orders in 2023. And the BBPA says 750 more could shut in the first half of 2024. The beer and pub industry contributes £26 billion to the British economy and supports nearly a million jobs throughout its supply chain.

Pub bosses say the government must do more to save British boozers amid the tidal wave of closures, brought on by the perfect storm of spiralling costs of goods and employing staff, rising energy bills, lack of government help and customers continuing to tighten their belts.

If you can't see the poll, click here

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The BBPA says "Energy prices remain the number one reason for pub closures. Despite this, the Government [last year] significantly scaled back support for pubs with energy bills estimated to be almost £20,000 higher over a year as a result. Pub closures are increasing sharply, with the number of closures in the first half of 2023 almost as high as in the entirety of the year before leading to major brutal projected rate of closure in future."

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association said:“ The Government must intervene to stop the decimation of our sector, and the jobs and prosperity it brings to towns and villages across the country. By ruling out the massive increase in business rates and beer duty both scheduled for next April and implementing the recommendations of Ofgem for regulation of the non-domestic energy market, the Government has the chance to return pubs to the invaluable engines of truly nationwide economic growth that they have potential to be.”

What do YOU think? Do you visit the pub less often than you used to? Take our poll above and expand on you thoughts in the comments below.

Paul Speed