Fears over ‘carnage’ as more pubs close across the UK

Around two pubs closed each day in the first three months of the year amid pressure from higher taxes and regulatory costs, according to industry figures.

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) warned that the closures equate to the loss of around 2,400 jobs, with a particular hit to younger workers.

Figures from the trade organisation show that 161 pubs closed across Britain in the first quarter of the year.

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It represents a 26 per cent jump against the same period last year, with local pubs having come under pressure from rising labour costs, taxes and caution among consumers.

These fears have now been echoed on a local level in Oxfordshire, with the South East region seeing 26 closures to 5,643 pubs in 2026.

Andrew Joyce, who runs the Cotswold Merrymouth Inn near Burford, recently told the BBC that he feared it would be “carnage” unless pubs got more support.

He explained they opened in June 2021 after purchasing what he described as “a sorry-looking derelict pub”.

“We got the place looking really nice,” said Mr Joyce.

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He explained that circumstances shifted and “less and less people” visited the premises.

He added: “We decided we had to do something drastic, so we closed the food and drink business and sadly we had to let go of 80 per cent of the staff, which was quite galling to be honest with you.”

The pub’s bar manager Dianne Cannon added: “Unless we get the support we need, no pub is going to stand.”

Earlier this year, the Government announced business rates support for pubs after warnings from the sector that further tax changes could lead to more closures and job losses.

A 15 per cent tax relief for pubs and music venues came into effect last month.

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However, measures from last November’s budget, such as an increase in the minimum wage, still added to a significant jump in business costs for pubs and brewers.

British pub numbers dropped by 336 last year to 44,656, meaning more than 2,000 pubs had closed since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

A Government spokesperson said: “We are backing Britain’s pubs – cutting April’s business rates bills by 15 per cent followed by a two-year freeze, extending World Cup opening hours and increasing the Hospitality Support Fund to £10 million to help venues grow.

“Later this year, we’ll also build on our Pride in Place programme with our new High Streets Strategy to revitalise our town centres.

“This comes on top of capping corporation tax, cutting alcohol duty on draught pints and six cuts in interest rates, benefiting businesses in every part of Britain.”