One Pub a Day Closed Permanently in England and Wales in 2025
In 2025, a total of 366 pubs in England and Wales were either demolished or converted for other uses, resulting in a net decrease in the number of pubs across all regions. The total number of pubs, including those vacant and for let, declined to 38,623 in 2025 from 38,989 in 2024. This translates to about one pub closing permanently every day throughout the year. The largest declines in pub numbers were reported in the East Midlands, North-West, and Yorkshire and the Humber regions. Over the past five years, around 2,000 pubs have disappeared from the landscape.
Pubs are facing significant cost pressures, including increases in the national minimum wage and national insurance contributions that came into effect from April 2025. Additionally, from April 2026, the rateable value of most commercial properties will be recalculated, which could result in large potential increases in property taxes for pubs, despite the introduction of a three-year tapered relief. Property tax expert Alex Probyn noted that most of these closures are permanent as many pubs have been repurposed, making a return to pub use unlikely.
Emma McClarkin, director of the British Beer and Pub Association, attributed the closures to heavy tax and business rates burdens placed on pubs and called for pub-specific business rates relief. The government was approached for comment on the data but did not respond.
