50 pubs a month either closed or repurposed in first half of 2024

Pubs and restaurants took a hit during 2020 and 2021, closing for months at a time during Covid-19 lockdowns.

In 2022 and 2023, skyrocketing inflation caused their operating costs to rise, while the cost-of-living crisis depressed sales.

The industry has long called for reforms to business rates as a means of tackling the issue. Pubs currently have a 75% discount on the tax, but this will end in March 2025.

Alex Probyn, president of property tax at Altus Group, warned of a ‘double whammy’ of property tax rises for pubs next April.

He called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to use her autumn Budget on October 30 to extend the business rates relief.

Separately, the British Beer and Pub Association recently called for a reduction in beer duty. Pubs currently make an average of 12p profit on each pint of beer once taxes and costs have been deducted.

Some in the industry have also voiced concerns over potential plans to ban outdoor smoking, including in beer gardens and outside stadiums.

In August, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the government would ‘take decisions’ on a potential outdoor smoking ban in an effort to curb preventable deaths and alleviate pressures on the NHS.