One pub shuts every day as Burnham tax cuts ‘not enough’
A pub is set to have closed its doors every day this year, as hospitality leaders say Andy Burnham’s tax cuts for hospitality have not gone far enough. About 360 pubs are expected to have called last orders in the whole of 2026, with 295 watering holes having shut for good so far this year, [...]
This year, it has been predicted that a pub will close its doors every day, as hospitality leaders argue that Andy Burnham's tax cuts for the industry have not been sufficient. The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) reported that 295 pubs have shut so far this year, bringing the total to 295. The closures have resulted in the loss of around 5,000 jobs, with more than half of these workers being under the age of 25.
The government could lose nearly £72 million in tax receipts due to these closures, as the average pub contributes approximately £200,000 to the Treasury. Last year, 336 pubs closed in the UK, and over the past five years, nearly 2,200 pubs have shut. Burnham introduced a 20% reduction in business rates for pubs, clubs, and live music venues upon becoming Prime Minister, which the BBPA welcomed as a significant step.
However, the industry body is urging the government to take further action at the upcoming Budget, such as implementing a permanently fair and sustainable rates burden, freezing beer duty, increasing draught relief, and reviewing employment costs for under-25s. The BBPA's chief executive, Emma McClarkin, emphasized that the government must address the root cause of the problem to ensure the industry can continue to support local communities and keep people employed.
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