Pub closures are on the rise, with 57 licensed premises a month having shut down permanently during 2007, according to a new survey by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra). The study found that 1,567 pubs last year were closed, compared with 1,320 in 2006.
The latest poll follows the release of figures by the British Beer & Pub Association last week showing that pubs had closed at the rate of 27 a week in 2007.
Camra’s research suggested that nearly one third of pubs that closed permanently were demolished, while 36% were converted to shops, cafés and restaurants and a further 33% had an alternative use, mostly residential.
The organisation pointed out that the survey had not taken into account the full effects of the smoking ban meaning that numbers of actual closures could turn out to be higher.
Mike Benner, Camra’s chief executive, has called for this Wednesday’s budget to include a tax cut of at least 1p on a pint of beer to prevent a worsening of the situation.
Benner said: “Britain's pubs provide an essential amenity for communities and a place for people to enjoy alcohol sociably in a regulated environment, yet the government's high tax policies coupled with increasing costs are crippling them.
“We need to see action immediately to stop the number of pub closures spiralling out of control making it impossible for many people to benefit from the amenity of a local pub.
“A ‘rescue plan' for community pubs is required and we hope the government will begin that process with a one penny tax cut on a pint of beer on Wednesday.”
The poll also found that a 10% increase in pub prices would lead to 21% of pub goers drinking more at home and that 68% of people agreed that a pub was a responsible place to drink.
