Two pubs close every day: Voters blame the government

Lucy Carrier-Pilkington | 6th May 2026 | Culture & Travel, Jobs, Polling, Trade Associations

Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Widespread pub closures comes as troubling news for football fans who want a local venue to watch the World Cup this summer.

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...

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