British pub numbers on the rise for first time in 10 years
By Caoimhe Toman
Date: Wednesday 11 Dec 2019
(Sharecast News) - The number of UK pubs registered its first increase of the current decade in 2019 revealed the latest tdata from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) on Wednesday.
The UK ended March 2019 with 39,135 pubs, 320 more than a year earlier, according to government statisticians. It was the first net increase since 2010.
Over the previous nine years, the UK pub network had shrunk by an average of 732 each year, the same data showed.
Regionally, the ONS registered a rise of 345 sites in England, while Northern Ireland gained five pubs and bars, and Scotland and Wales both also posted decreases.
Nevertheless, while the ONS figures revealed an increase, industry trade body the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) said that its own statistics, which include a higher number of pubs, showed that a turning point in the decline of the British pub had not yet been reached.
"We would cautiously welcome any good news for pubs, however our own data suggests a higher base of pubs, and has shown higher closure rates for the last five years", said a spokesperson for the BBPA.
"In the New Year we will be able to report 2019 pub numbers versus 2018."
The ONS estimated the total number of pubs at 39,135 in March 2019, while the BBPA published a figure of 47,600 at the end of 2018, down from 48,350 in the year before.
"The reduction of pubs over the last decade has been heartbreaking, following devastating changes to business taxes and alcohol duties, but I hope these figures signpost a reversal of fortunes," said Patrick Clover, chief executive of Leith-based hospitality industry software firm Stampede, which analysed the ONS figures.
Clover said the trend change could be put down to pubs changing the goods and services they offered after realising they can no longer rely on the "same old regulars". Many pubs have now decided to improve their food menus, offering accommodation and events such as live music to attract new customers in.
Other observers said the rise could also be due to the recently announced plans from Tim Martin, the founder and boss of the Wetherspoon chain, for a £200.0m splurge on expansion projects, which he claimed were expected to generate up to 10,000 new jobs.
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