
Policy Areas
We are dedicated to creating a thriving pub and brewing sector
From fair taxation to sustainable business operations, we work closely with our members to understand what matters to them, champion the industry and create change.
Data & Insights
Pubs and pints are treasured by the public, yet taxation is throttling our locals and breweries. This is why we’re calling for fairer taxes and regulation.
How many pubs are there in the UK?
Pub numbers have been slowly declining across the UK for decades and recent economic shocks have put our pubs under more pressure than ever before.
2025 Pub numbers by region
Pubs face a number of cost pressures which makes it hard for them to keep the doors open. This map shows how they’ve been affected across the regions.
The average price of a pint in the UK
Rising inflation and cost pressures throughout our pubs’ and brewers’ supply chains have an effect on the price you pay at the bar. This graph shows how these issues have impacted the cost of a pint in the UK.
Beer and pub sector gross value added (£ million)
Source: Oxford Economics
Direct beer and pub sector employment across UK regions
Source: Oxford Economics
Malting barley cost index
Total wage benefits of beer and pub sector (£ million)
British hop production

Policy and Member Resources
Operational Guidance
From producing guidance and practical tips to celebrating the successes of our members, we are supporting members in their role providing safe, inclusive spaces for customers and team members.
Employment and People
We provide advice on how to develop brilliant teams, and campaign for policies that allow them to recruit, train and retain great staff whilst helping their business thrive.
Tax and Trade
We campaign to reduce the unfair tax burden on our sector and provide guidance and information to support our members comply with taxation law.
Environment and Sustainability
Britain’s brewing and pub industry is innovative, ambitious and a sector fit for the future, progressing sustainability is a key pillar of our work alongside our members.
Health, Community & Wellbeing
From high streets to neighbourhoods, pubs act as social anchors, bringing people together, supporting community life and shaping the character of places across the country.
Member Content
Access a range of additional insight, guidance and briefings on key policy, regulatory and operational issues affecting the pub and brewing sector, bringing together more detailed context, analysis and supporting material from across BBPA activity.
BBPA Disability Awareness Primer Course
In partnership with Tourism for All we have created an online disability awareness training. Tourism for All is a national charity and the voice of accessible tourism and travel in the UK.
Click here to register for the free course.
Once you’ve registered, click here to log into the BBPA training area. Upon completing the course you will receive a certificate.
Pubs are places where everyone is welcome. It’s where family, friends and colleagues come together and where tourists to this country feel they will see the true, welcoming Britain. But sometimes, without realising it, we put up barriers to that welcome, especially for those who are disabled or less mobile. If a customer can’t access a pub, bar or restaurant then they will go elsewhere. That means that all their family, friends and colleagues will go elsewhere as well. Not only is the business lost but the customer’s experience is zero or even negative.
You will often be the first representative of your business that disabled customers will meet and that gives you a great opportunity, and a great responsibility, to make disabled customers, and all customers, feel comfortable and welcome.
We know that disabled customers tend to come back to establishments where they have had good experiences and to recommend them to others. So, by completing this course and following the tips we provide, you will not only be helping your disabled customers to have a great time, but helping to grow your whole business.



World Cup 2026 Guidance
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a major opportunity to attract customers who want to watch live football matches in the great atmosphere provided by pubs and bars. The tournament will be played from 11th June, culminating in the final on Sunday 19th July.
If you are planning to show FIFA World Cup 2026 games in your pub this summer, you may well already have management practices in place to deal with any issues that arise. If not, the advice below is intended to be helpful and concise guidance to ensure that you have busy and successful events over the tournament.

Pubs as Social Infrastructure: The Wellbeing Value to the UK
This briefing summarises key findings from Pubs as Social Infrastructure, commissioned by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) from WPI Strategy.

An Open Welcome: Accessibility in Pubs Guide
Our guide emphasises that accessibility is achievable for every pub regardless of size, budget or building age, as meaningful progress often comes from small, practical adjustments and a willingness to listen to disabled customers and staff. The guide outlines many practical steps pubs can adopt to strengthen their accessibility.

Inn-valuable 2: Unlocking the Socio-Economic Potential of our Nation’s Pubs
This report is an examination of the value of pubs in the UK and analysis of the policy challenges to protecting and enhancing this value. The policy recommendations provided in this report are aimed at charting a course to a more sustainable pub trade.

Brewing Communities: How we can create new towns that foster successful pubs, high-streets and flourishing neighbourhoods
This report serves as a call to action for policymakers, developers, and communities alike to prioritise the creation of vibrant, connected spaces where people can come together.
Resources & Action

Armed Forces Covenant
We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, pledging to support serving personnel, veterans, reservists, and military families across the industry.
By signing the Covenant we pledge to recognise the skills, experiences, and contributions of the Armed Forces community, and help the sector ensure the community faces no disadvantage in accessing employment, services, or opportunities.

The Open to All Charter
The Charter was developed with the BBPA’s members to promote workplaces that attract and retain a diverse workforce.
By committing to inclusive recruitment, fair treatment and strong support for employees, the Charter strengthens the sector’s ability to develop skilled teams and create sustainable employment opportunities.

Challenge 21 and Challenge 25
The BBPA’s Challenge 21 scheme has been raising awareness among publicans and their staff of the need to be vigilant in preventing underage sales for over 20 years. The scheme serves as a reminder to customers that it is against the law to purchase alcohol if you are under 18, or to purchase alcohol on behalf of someone who is under 18.

World Cup Guidance
Our World Cup guidance, produced in partnership with UKHospitality, the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), the Local Government Association and the National Police Chiefs’ Council aims to encourage police, licensing authorities and the licensed trade to work together to ensure the safe and successful showing of football tournaments in pubs.

Long Live the Local
Our Long Live The Local Campaign exists to save pubs in communities across the UK through reducing the unfair tax burden on our sector.
Add your support, it only takes two minutes but could help your beloved local stay open.

Joint Member Survey
Each quarter, the BBPA along with other hospitality trade bodies (the British Institute of Innkeeping, Hospitality Ulster and UKHospitality) survey our members across a range of topics to gauge sentiment and collect data on business operations.
The responses represent approximately a wide range of hospitality sites across the UK.

Latest Employment & Skills Consultations
The government is seeking views through open consultations related to employment and workforce policy as part of its Employment Rights Act.

England Pub Business Rates Calculator
We have developed a practical and easy to use calculator to help publicans estimate what their business rates are likely to be.