Nearly 380 pubs across England, Wales and Scotland face closure this year, according to new industry figures that paint a bleak picture for the hospitality sector.
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), which represents over 20,000 pubs, predicts 378 establishments will shut their doors permanently - more than one pub every day.
These closures would result in over 5,600 direct job losses, marking a roughly 10% increase from last year's predicted 350 pub closures.
The figures emerge as the sector grapples with mounting financial pressures, with industry bodies warning of an existential threat to traditional British pubs.
Pubs are closing down across the UK at an alarming rate
GETTY
In light of this, the BBPA has urged immediate Government action, highlighting that taxes and business rates currently consume approximately 25 per cent of all customer spending in pubs.
The crisis extends beyond individual closures, with UKHospitality warning earlier this week that the sector risks being "taxed out" following Office for National Statistics (ONS) data showing 69,000 hospitality jobs lost since the last Budget.
A Conservative MP echoed these concerns in early July, stating in Parliament that hospitality is being "taxed out of existence".
The BBPA is calling for urgent business rates reform and reduced tax burdens to prevent further closures across the sector.
Do you have a money story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing money@gbnews.uk.
Recent research suggests pub closures are ramping up across the UK PAEmma McClarkin, the chief executive of the trade association, said: "Pubs are trading well, but most of the money that goes into the till goes straight back out in bills and taxes.
"For many it's impossible to make a profit, which all too often leads to pubs turning off the lights for the last time."
She emphasised the broader impact of closures: "When a pub closes it puts people out of a job, deprives communities of their heart and soul and hurts the local economy."
McClarkin added: "However, it's not too late to change this sad state of affairs. We're calling on the Government to proceed with meaningful business rates reform, mitigate these eye-watering new employment and extended producer responsibility costs, and cut beer duty."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Shops are disappearing from the high streetPAGeorge Holmes, the managing director of business finance experts Aurora Capital, criticised the pace of Government action on the crisis.
"The expected closure of nearly 400 pubs this year is a stark indicator of the mounting pressures on small businesses. High business rates, increased employment costs, and rising taxes are creating an unsustainable environment for these establishments," Holmes said.
He warned that delays could prove fatal for many businesses: "By the time reforms come in next April, it will be too late for hundreds of businesses."
Holmes stressed that "immediate, sector-targeted action is needed to alleviate these financial burdens and prevent further closures."