Number of pubs being knocked down or converted rockets by 50 per cent
THE number of pubs being knocked down or converted has rocketed by 50 per cent.
Two boozers a day are being lost, sparking calls for help on business rates.
Official stats show 230 pubs disappeared in three months to June 30 — a rise from 153 in the previous quarter.
The six-month total of 383 in England and Wales is almost as many as the 386 that went throughout the whole of 2022.
In the first half of 2023, Wales lost the most, 52, with London and North West regions each seeing 46 vanish, according to property experts at Altus Group.
The overall number of pubs in England and Wales — including those vacant and being offered to let — fell to 39,404 at the end of June 2023.
Alex Probyn, president of property tax at Altus Group, called on Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to ease financial pressure on pubs in his November autumn statement.
Boozers, and other eligible hospitality, leisure and retail businesses, currently get a 75 per cent discount on business rates — capped at £10,000 — but it is due to end in March.
They will then face an inflation-linked increase of more than six per cent.
Mr Probyn said: “With energy costs up 80 per cent year-on-year in a low-growth, high-inflation and high-interest rates environment, the last thing pubs need is an average business rates hike of £12,385.”
Ale hail to the chief
THE best designed new pub is on a housing estate, Camra declared.
The wood and stone Strawberry Thief, with a luxurious open-plan interior, won the award after opening last June in Swindon.
The beer group’s annual design awards saw Exeter’s Turks Head win the conversion prize.
The Cadogan Arms in Chelsea, West London, was best refurb.
The Grade II-listed Black Lion in Kilburn, North West London, won the Historic England Conservation category.
The local community award went to The Gordon Arms in Bedford.