The BBPA has responded to the recent revelation that eight UK pubs closed every week during the first half of 2025 by describing the downturn as “absolutely heartbreaking,” adding the closures are a direct result of rising costs and taxes.

The British Beer and Pub Association has called on the government to take action on hospitality taxes and labour costs, after the “absolutely heartbreaking” revelation that 209 UK pubs closed during the first half of 2025.

The number of pubs in England and Wales that have closed since 2020 now totals 2,283, with a recent acceleration coming about due to April’s rise in Employer NICs and the minimum wage, beside existing cost and supply pressures.

“It’s absolutely heartbreaking and there is a direct link between pubs closing for good and the huge jump in costs they have just endured,” said BBPA CEO Emma McClarkin. “Pubs and brewers are important employers, drivers of economic growth, but are also really valuable to local communities across the country and have real social value.

“This is a really sad pattern, and unfortunately a lot of these pubs never come back. The Government needs to act at the budget, with major reforms to business rates and beer duty.”

The call was echoed by Alex Probyn, practice leader of property tax at commercial real estate firm Ryan, who said “slashing business rates relief for pubs from 75 percent to 40 percent this year has landed the sector with an extra £215m in tax bills.”

“For a small pub, that’s a leap in the average bill from £3,938 to £9,451 – a 140 percent increase. The combination of soaring business rates, higher national insurance contributions, the rising national minimum wage and packaging taxes are all quietly draining profits until staying open becomes impossible.”

Glass getting empty

Emma McClarkin said…  “It’s absolutely heartbreaking and there is a direct link between pubs closing for good and the huge jump in costs they have just endured…