Little pubs lose out
BIGGER BARS HIT LOCALS
THE local boozer is being pushed out by bigger bars.
Figures show 40% of pubs with fewer than nine staff have shut since 2001.
But the number of big bars has jumped by 17%. During that period, the total number of UK boozers has shrunk from 52,000 in 2001 to 38,815 today.
But chains pumping money into big drinking venues have increased the number of bar jobs by 6%
The British Beer and Pub Association has blamed the mounting costs of running a pub for the dwindling local.
The association’s chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: “Pubs face a number of cost pressures, from high taxes in the form of beer duty, VAT and business rates, to wage increases and food inflation.
“This means they are under increasing financial pressure from every angle, which is driving closures.”
The worst-affected area where landlords have closed their doors is Birmingham which has lost 220 boozers. But Hackney residents in east London have found themselves spoilt for choice as the borough has had the biggest increase of pubs, with more than 30 opened since 2001.
Ms Simmonds said of the overall picture: “Unless more is done to help alleviate the cost pressures pubs face, they will continue to close and jobs will be lost.
“Under the beer duty escalator alone from 2008 to 2013, beer tax rose by 42%.
“During that time beer sales fell by 24% in pubs. This caused 5,000 pubs to close.”
Chancellor Philip Hammond announced last month that duty on beer, cider and spirits would be frozen for another year.
But Ms Simmonds went on: “More still needs to be done, though.
“This is why we continue to support the Long Live The Local campaign, which celebrates the vital role local, community pubs play in our lives.”