Almost 60% surge in pubs shutting for good in first quarter of 2023

More than 50 pubs have been demolished or redeveloped for other purposes each month so far this year.

In 2022, 386 pubs were lost for good (Dominic Lipinski/PA) (PA Wire)

More than 150 pubs have disappeared for good from English and Welsh communities over the first three months of 2023, according to new figures.

The rate of pubs being demolished or redeveloped for other purposes has increased by almost 60% at the start of the year as bumper energy bills have hammered the sector.

Analysis of official Government data by the commercial real estate intelligence firm Altus Group shows that the overall number of pubs in England and Wales, including those vacant and being offered to let, dropped to 39,634 at the end of the first quarter to March 31.