Approximately two pubs have closed every day in the first three months of 2026, shocking new industry figures have revealed.   The British Beer and Pub Association claims that 161 pubs have shut their doors in the first quarter – leading to around 2,400 job losses. With the graduate employment crisis in the state that it is, this has been a huge knock to young people trying to earn income.   Scotland has been the worst affected by pub closures with 41 closures between January and March, and the only region of the United Kingdom to report an increase in the number of pubs is Wales.   Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the BBPA, said: “The scale of these closures is avoidable because pubs are doing a brisk trade, but their profits are wiped out by a disproportionate tax burden and huge costs.” She added: “We want to work with the government to establish a permanent long-term plan that will deliver permanently lower bills, a fairer system and ultimately protectthis treasured sector.”  However, recent BBPA data also exposed that voters believe the government is to blame for the sudden pub closure crisis.  

"Ahead of the local elections tomorrow, campaigners have been trying to urge MPs to make pubs a priority."

The report uncovered that one-third of voters are calling for the government to help the sector by making business rates fairer. Furthermore, only one in eight say their MP has spoken up for pubs and a mere 7% say their MP is doing enough to protect the sector. Ahead of the local elections tomorrow, campaigners have been trying to urge MPs to make pubs a priority. One such group includes the Long Live The Local campaign who have over 250,000 supporters.   According to the BBPA survey, 54% of the public blames either the national or local government when a pub closes. They found that Reform UK voters were by far the most critical, with 74% blaming local authorities or Westminster for the closures. This figure is followed by 63% of Conservative voters and just over half of Green Party voters.   Yet, the pub crisis is not a new issue – around 2,000 pubs have been forced to shut their doors since 2020. McClarkin commented: “Despite recent important support from the government and the many MPs across all political parties who champion pubs and brewers, voters clearly believe that there is still more to be done.    “Pubs are the soul of the community, create jobs, and, with a quarter of a million people joining our Long Live the Local campaign that supports the people behind the pint, it’s no wonder people care about them so much.”   Other factors that have increased pressure on the pub and hospitality sector, include increased labour costs due to the rise in the minimum wage and shifting consumer habits – such spending habits can be attributed to the cost of living making the public more frugal.   Pub closures are also unsettling for England fans who want a local venue to watch the World Cup this summer. Pubs are a core part of British culture and social life, and a key venue for members of the community to come together. With the World Cup just around the corner, members of the public are worried that they will not be able to enjoy it in their local spots.   A government spokesperson said they plan to rectify this issue by cutting April's business rates bills by 15%, which will be followed by a two-year freeze, extending World Cup opening hours and increasing the Hospitality Support Fund to £10 million. In addition to these new policies, the government also plans to build on its Pride in Place programme, which sees grants allocated for "locally-led solutions" in 280 neighbourhoods in England. This is part of a wider initiative to revitalise high streets. The spokesperson added: "This comes on top of capping corporation tax, cutting alcohol duty on draught pints and six cuts in interest rates, benefiting businesses in every part of Britain".  Luke Tryl, Executive Director at More in Common said: “One thing comes through really strongly in this polling, the British public really care about pubs, they think they are a central part of their community and they don’t think the government is doing enough to protect them.   “At a time when the government already finds itself struggling with a restless electorate, a wave of further pub closures will only reinforce the frustration that those in charge are unable or unwilling to deliver for local communities across Britain.”  The BBPA has said that more must be done to save Britain’s pubs but the extended opening hours during this summ...