BBC antiques expert blasts pub closures as threat to British life: 'Keep them open!'

Lydia Davies
Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:53:51 +0000

David Harper has warned that the decline of Britain’s pubs is damaging the nation’s ability to have meaningful, face-to-face conversations, urging communities to fight to keep them open.

The BBC Antiques Roadshow expert said traditional social spaces are vital for discussing life’s biggest questions, arguing that online platforms cannot replace real-world interaction.

Speaking exclusively to GB News, Mr Harper pointed to his own village as an example, revealing locals are attempting to save their pub from closure.

He said: “The little village I live in in South Durham, on the border with Yorkshire, we have a gorgeous village pub which has been closed for a few years.

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“And we’re trying to get together to buy it as a consortium in the village, because we know the importance of villagers getting together, and sharing news, and talking — not communicating over social media, where it gets terribly aggravated.”

He continued: “So I think absolutely, social spaces, and pubs are just the best example of a great social space, we need to work very hard to maintain them, to encourage people to run them.

“If we get a chance to buy the pub, then we will rent it to somebody at a low rate. We’re not doing it to make money, we’re just doing it to keep the pub alive.”

The Bargain Hunt star, who recently documented his personal journey to Christianity in his book The God Conundrum, went on to describe pubs as uniquely suited to conversations about life, purpose and even death, themes he has explored more deeply following his faith journey.

He said: “I think it’s absolutely vital. I think face-to-face conversations about the biggest questions in life, why are we here, what are we doing, what is the purpose, and what happens after death.

“Because let’s be honest, we’re all going to die, is there something after death?

“And it’s quite an interesting conversation. It’s not scary when you really get into it.”

According to Mr Harper, such discussions are difficult, if not impossible, to replicate in digital spaces.

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He added: “You can’t have this online, because it gets too aggravated, but you can have it in a small group in something like a pub environment.”

The television presenter also reflected on his own experiences speaking to strangers.

“And it’s funny because when I started my research, I came up with three questions to ask people. One was how was the universe formed, accident or intelligence? How was life formed, accident or intelligence? And was Jesus a real person?” he asked.

“And you might think these are kind of scary questions that could cause difficulties, but they weren’t.

“I had the most fantastic, involved, interesting conversations with everybody, from taxi drivers on the way to airports to people in a pub I didn’t know. And it was just mind-expanding and fascinating.”

The presenter and author argued that the social and cultural role of pubs goes far beyond food and drink.

“The pub is the best place to do that. Socialising, we know, has been proven, hasn’t it, is very healthy for humans. We’re designed to socialise and meet people face-to-face,” he said.

“So, gosh yes, keep our pubs open. And conversations open as well. Nothing should be cancelled. Nothing should be off the table. Share your thoughts.”

His comments come amid growing concern over the number of pub closures across the UK.

Pubs and restaurants are closing at a rate of around three a day as soaring costs and economic pressures hit the hospitality sector.

Rising energy and fuel prices, exacerbated by global tensions such as the US-Iran conflict, have piled pressure on already struggling businesses, while recent government policies, including increases to National Insurance contributions and the National Living Wage, have significantly raised operating costs.

The end of Covid-era business rates relief has added further strain, with industry bodies warning the sector now faces one of the highest tax burdens in the economy.

With low consumer confidence and mounting bills, many pubs are being forced to shut their doors, leading to job losses and reduced investment across communities.