Thousands of pubs across Britain have closed in recent years, falling victim to soaring costs and changing habits. The decimation has ripped the hearts out of communities, with some areas hit harder than others. Analysis of official data reveals that the West Country and northern towns and cities are among the worst affected.
Since 2010, Wiltshire and Somerset have each lost 135 pubs and bars. Other significant declines include County Durham (90), Oldham (65), North Yorkshire (90), Bradford (70), Shropshire (50), Bedfordshire (70), and Suffolk (100). Tameside in Greater Manchester saw numbers fall from 195 to 135, while Buckinghamshire dropped from 400 to 325. Cornwall has lost 70 venues since 2014, down to 495.
The figures are based on local authority data and cover pubs that have changed use, such as conversion to shops or flats, rather than those sitting empty—a figure that would be much higher. Hundreds of pubs stand empty with little hope of reopening.
The Mirror's 'Your Pub Needs You' campaign has gained support, calling for a fighting fund to help pubs survive, recognition for landlords, and measures to make it easier for communities to take over at-risk pubs. Muir Rogers, co-founder of Gigpig, highlighted that global stars like Ed Sheeran, Adele, Oasis, and Arctic Monkeys started in pubs, warning that losing pubs threatens the birthplace of live music and culture.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer backed the campaign, calling pubs “hugely important” as places where communities come together. However, trade editor Ed Bedington criticised the government's Budget, warning that from April, increases in national insurance, minimum wage, and business rates will impose massive cost increases on pub operators.
