We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. The total number of pubs serving communities in England and Wales now stands at 40,173. Speaking to Express.co.uk Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association Emma McClarkin said the figures were "a sign of the times" adding that five percent of pubs were lost in 2020. Pubs had been seeing declines even before Covid with Altus Group's figures finding a total fall of 2,277 over the last four years. Since then declines had steadied but concern is growing now the cumulative impact of successive Covid restrictions could make things worse.

Source: The Times December 23, 2021 14:49 UTC