Pubs in England and Wales are shutting at an alarming rate due to financial hardships, experts warn. Between April and July, 230 establishments closed their doors, which is double the number seen in the first quarter of the year, as reported by the BBC.
This indicates that in the first half of the year, 383 pubs either closed or their premises were repurposed, equating to roughly two closures per day.
By the end of July, the total number of pubs in England and Wales, including vacant ones and those available for lease, had dwindled to 39,404.
In the fiscal year ending March 2024, the government offered a 75% tax reduction for pubs and other hospitality businesses, capping the amount at £110,000 per establishment.