Thousands of rural shops, pubs and bus routes close in 'war on country life', GB News reveals

Last year, there were over 17,000 vacant shops, offices and warehouses across 23 of the councils.

In a third of those areas, vacant shops in 2025 have already surpassed last year’s total.

Across 11 of the local authorities, more pubs have closed than opened in the past five years.

Nearly half are losing pubs at double or triple the rate they are being replaced.

For vital services, numerous councils are closing bus routes and schools.

This year alone, one Northamptonshire council has cut 22 bus routes, making it more than 261 routes cut over the past ten years.

Whitewashed windows are becoming a common sight on Driffield’s high street.

Local farmer Rob Meadley has lived here all his life and believes countryside communities are being ignored.

His family has been farming for over a century, but now he is worried life in the countryside is becoming unsustainable.

He told GB News: “It feels genuinely challenging, to be honest.

"You know, don't get me wrong, it's a wonderful place to live, and it is fantastic, but all the costs, that many people take for granted just feel like they are more to live out in the countryside.

“The access to services is obviously a lot less, and unfortunately, a lot of our village shops and post offices have closed.

“The policies of the current Government are do not consider the rural way of life at all.”

Financial pressures on businesses in Driffield have resulted in many closing for good.

Mr Meadley showed GB News the local high street, where whitewashed windows are far from a rare sight.

An old electronics shop, which had been there for 40-years closed in just the last few weeks.

Across the street, a shoe shop that Mr Meadley took his children to get their school shoes fitted has now gone too.

Earlier this year, the Government announced up to £33million in funding for the Rural England Prosperity Fund, used to improve local infrastructure and essential services, and create jobs to grow the rural economy.

But Victoria Vyvyan, President of Country Land and Business Association, said Labour’s policy is damaging these areas.

“I see no sign at all that this Government is interested in rural policy," she claimed. "It seems to be working against us at every stage.

“What the Chancellor hasn't learnt or understand is that you can't tax people into growth, you can only invest in growth.

“At the moment, investment has stalled and businesses are either hunkering down or going out of trade. We’re looking at a pretty bleak winter.”