Enlarge image
Closed pub in London
Photo: Dominic Lipinski / dpa
According to a recent analysis, the number of pubs in England and Wales has fallen to an all-time low.
In the first half of this year there were fewer than 40,000 pubs - a decade ago there were about 7,000 more.
This was the result of an analysis by the real estate consultant Altus Group, which was published on Monday and from which the dpa news agency quotes.
Pubs have been demolished or converted into apartments and offices, sources said.
Altus emphasized that after the corona pandemic with the lockdowns, the hospitality industry was hit by record high inflation and exploding energy costs.
Between the end of 2021 and June alone, around 200 pubs would have closed.
The West Midlands around the metropolis of Birmingham, as well as London and eastern England were particularly affected.
According to the industry associations British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), British Institute of Innkeeping and UK Hospitality, only a good third (37 percent) of the establishments are profitable.
BBPA boss Emma McClarkin now called for state aid.
"It is vital that we get relief to ease that pressure - or risk losing more pubs year after year."
aar/dpa
