Stories

Tue, 05 May 2026

Tue, 05 May 2026 British pubs closing at a rate of almost two per day in 2026

The British Beer and Pub Association says 161 pubs have closed in the first three months of this year.

* Approximately 161 pubs closed in England, Scotland, and Wales between January and March 2026.
* This equates to around 2,400 job losses.
* The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) is calling for longer-term changes, including a wider overhaul of taxes on the hospitality sector.
* Pubs have been under pressure due to increased labour costs, rising business rates, and shifting consumer habits.
* Wales is the only region in the UK to report an increase in pub numbers, while Scotland has suffered the heaviest losses with 41 closures between January and March this year.