Pub numbers up for first time in a decade

Figures in the ‘Raising the bar’ report​​, which are based on labour market statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), reveal that the pub industry is reversing a decade of numerical decline.

According to the analysis, the UK had a net loss of 5,855 pubs (an average of -732 per year) between 2010 and 2018.

However, 2019 reportedly saw a net gain of 320 pubs opening in the UK, creating a possible 8,975 jobs and an additional cash turnover of £740m.

England saw the greatest surge with a net gain of 345 pubs across the country, while pub numbers in Northern Ireland increased by five.

Wales and Scotland both saw pub numbers fall over the course of the year, by 25 and five respectively.

The report adds that large pub groups are driving most of the growth in the sector.

“The pub trade has had very little to celebrate in the last decade, but I’m sure they’ll raise a glass to these new numbers,” says Stampede founder Patrick Clover.

“Pubs have a hugely important place in our society both socially as well as economically, being one of the UK’s biggest employers.

The reduction of pubs over the last decade has been heart-breaking, following devastating changes to business taxes and alcohol duties, but I hope these figures signpost a reversal of fortunes.”