Overview

• Official data show 209 pubs in England and Wales were demolished or converted between January and June 2025, about eight a week, leaving 38,780 pubs and marking 2,283 permanent losses since 2020.
• The South East recorded the largest regional decline, with 31 pubs lost in the first half of the year.
• April policy changes lifted the national living wage by 6.7% to £12.21 and raised employer National Insurance to 15% with a lower threshold, while reduced business rates relief added an estimated £215m to sector bills, taking a small pub’s average bill from £3,938 to £9,451.
• A joint survey by sector groups reports 69% of operators have less than six months’ cash reserves and one in five have none, with 79% raising prices and more than half cutting jobs.
• Industry groups including the BBPA, UKHospitality and the BII are urging reforms to business rates, changes to employer NICs and cuts to VAT or beer duty in the autumn Budget.