Six pubs vanish from UK communities each week after pandemic hit
24 May 2021, 00:04
384 pubs have been demolished or converted for a different use over the past 14 months.
Around six pubs have vanished for good from UK communities each week since the start of the first lockdown, according to new figures.
Data compiled by real estate adviser Altus Group has revealed that 384 pubs have been demolished or converted for a different use over the past 14 months.
However, the figures paint a resilient picture of the hospitality sector which has faced a flurry of challenges including months of closures, curfews and servings restrictions over the past year.
The rate of reductions slowed down from previous year, Altus said, amid financial support measures including furlough, business rates holidays and hospitality grants.
On March 20 last year, when the Prime Minister confirmed the first lockdown, there were 40,886 pubs in England and Wales including those vacant and being offered to let.
The new figures showed that on Monday, when sites reopened indoor areas, there were 40,502 pubs, reflecting a 1% decline.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced at the Spring Budget earlier this year a £150 million financial lifeline through a new Community Ownership Fund to try and help communities protect their favourite local pubs from demolition and redevelopment.
Robert Hayton, UK president of expert services at Altus Group, said the financial support has provided sufficient liquidity to help the majority of operators stay afloat until they could reopen again.
He said: “Pubs have endured a torrid time during the pandemic but have proved remarkably resilient aided by Government interventions such as furlough, grants, rates relief and liquidity in the form of cheap loans helping to keep the ‘pilot light on’ for their reopening.”
Early statistics from the first day indoor service revealed that sales at pubs, bars and restaurants were up by a quarter against pre-pandemic levels as punters flocked back into venues.
Figures compiled by CGA revealed that average sales at reopened venues were 24.9% higher on Monday May 17 than on the equivalent Monday in May 2019.
