It’s last orders for many British pubs after the British Beer & Pub Association reported that 52 pubs called time every week in Britain in the first half of 2009 - a third more than the same period a year ago.
The Association’s research shows that local pubs are the most vulnerable with 40 a week closing during the period, while nine high street bars were closed every week.
The rate of closures represents the fastest since the number of UK pubs began being tracked, almost 20 years ago.
However, the research also showed that branded pubs and cafe-style bars were opening at a rate of two a week.
A spokesperson for the British Beer & Pub Association said: “Pubs are already diversifying, but unfortunately if you are a community pub, you can’t transform yourself into a trendy town-centre bar.”
“The biggest impact is the recession. There are fewer people out and fewer people spending money in pubs and bars, regardless of where they are,” added the spokesperson.
Liberal Democrat MP Greg Mulholland and Labour’s Lynne Jones said the pub industry was “hugely important to the British tourist trade” and are urging colleagues to “support their local pubs”.
Figures show that the number of pubs has fallen by 2,377 in the 12 months - taking the total to 53,466.
Finally, not only has the recession hit the pub trade but the smoking ban, changes to the Licensing Act, as well as pubs being unable to compete with cheap alcohol in the supermarket are all having an impact.
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