In total 23 pub, bar and nightclub companies went under in the first three months of 2010, an increase of 109 per cent on the same period a year earlier when eleven collapsed.
Wilkins Kennedy said 87 pubs, bars and nightclubs became insolvent in the year to 31 March, compared with 79 a year earlier.
This compares with an improving corporate insolvency rate in the UK, which saw insolvencies last year fall 36 per cent to 5,911 (2008: 9,233).
Anthony Cork, director at Wilkins Kennedy, said: “What the pub and bar industry needs to see in the June 22 budget is an end to duty increases. The government needs to be understanding of the sector and not tax it out of existence.”
World Cup will boost home market
New research from foodservice consultancy Horizons predicts the FIFA World Cup in South Africa will benefit the supermarkets and home delivery firms such as Domino’s and Papa John’s in the main, with pubs netting a relatively small amount of the predicted £50m boost the competition’s group stages will bring the UK’s catering sector.
For ideas to make the most of the World Cup in your establishment see our Special feature.
