Pubs are closing in every part of England, as well as in Scotland and Wales, according to new regional figures issued by the British Beer and Pub Association today.

With almost 40 pubs closing every week across Britain, the rate of losses is highest in the North West, North East and East Anglia – and the number of pubs in both London and Yorkshire fell by more than 100 in just six months alone.

The BBPA said the closures were hitting local communities hard and called on all parties and candidates in the forthcoming General Election to show their support for British pubs.

The figures, produced for the BBPA by CGA Strategy, show that the number of pubs in England, Scotland and Wales fell by 1,013 between June and December 2009 with 1,566 closing and just 553 opening for business.

Every English region, as well as Scotland and Wales, show falls, as a range of factors, including the recession and successive tax hikes, have hit pubs hard. In the North West alone, 10 pubs a week are closing – that’s a drop of 3% in just six months.

The full regional figures are attached.

Commenting on the pub closure statistics, BBPA chief executive, Brigid Simmonds, said:

“These figures show the scale of the decline of the great British pub. Almost 40 pubs are closing every week across Britain and that’s bad news for jobs, bad news for the local economy and bad news for the social life of local communities.

“We know from opinion polls that people value their local pub. It is an important part of the fabric of our communities. So it is vital that industry, Government, local authorities and others work together to support this great British institution.

“Of course, some pubs are doing well even now. But many pubs have been hit hard by the recession – and the Chancellor’s beer tax hikes in the Budget heap only further pressure on local businesses trying to do their bit to aid the recovery.

“The general election campaign is nearly upon us. So we are calling on all parties and candidates to back our “I’m backing the pub” campaign to show their support for the British beer and pub trade.”

Candidates and members of the public can sign up the “I’m backing the pub” campaign by going to www.backthepub.com.

TV Region Name Openings Closures Difference % Change Per Week

Anglia 23 144 -121 -2.5% -5

Central 111 141 -30 -0.3% -1

Granada 68 313 -257 -3.1% -10

Harlech 24 81 -58 -1.7% -2

London 94 241 -147 -1.5% -6

Meridian 57 105 -48 -0.9% -2

Scotland 51 133 -81 -1.5% -3

Tyne Tees 18 111 -93 -3.2% -4

Westward 50 126 -76 -1.3% -3

Yorkshire 57 171 -102 -1.6% -4

Total 553 1,566 -1,013 -1.7% -39

The British Beer & Pub Association is the UK’s leading organisation representing the brewing and pub sector. Its members account for 98 per cent of the beer brewed in the UK and own nearly two thirds of Britain’s 52,500 pubs.