Pub closures rise to almost 2,000 last year

Pubs were closing at the rate of 39 a week throughout the second half of 2008, according to a report by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA).

Figures for the latter half of the year showed that things deteriorated from an already poor first half, in which 36 businesses were shutting down each week.

In total, 1,973 pubs announced a final last orders in 2008, with the Midlands being the hardest-hit area.

The BBPA highlighted an escalation in the number of pubs that are going under. In 2007, 1,409 went out of business - around 27 each week.

By contrast, 2006 saw a weekly average of only four businesses closing, and 2005 only two per week.

Unveiling the report, BBPA chief executive Rob Hayward renewed a call for the Government to re-examine its plans to increase alcohol duty.

"These stark new numbers show how wrong the Government is in not offering the pub trade a stimulus in the pre-Budget report along with every other part of the UK economy," he added.

"They also show how much Government thinking on alcohol taxes and regulation must change if community pubs are to be saved for future generations."

IMAGE Johnny Green/PA Wire