16/10/2026
I heard something on the radio this morning about the number of pubs closing across the country, and it's something I wanted to raise awareness of.
Sleaford and the wider area have some fantastic pubs, bars and restaurants, each with their own character, history and place within our community. But like many across the country, they are facing increasingly challenging times.
Rising energy bills, business rates, wages, stock costs and other overheads are putting enormous pressure on those running these businesses. At the same time, the cost-of-living crisis means many of us are having to be more careful about how we spend our money.
It's a difficult balancing act, and it's something worth talking about.
Because pubs are about so much more than a drink.
They're places where friendships are formed, birthdays celebrated, local teams come together, quiz nights bring people together and memories are made. They're meeting places for our communities, supporting local jobs, charities, sports teams, suppliers and other businesses along the way.
For some people, their local is a place to catch up with friends. For others, it's somewhere to have a conversation, feel connected or simply get out of the house.
When a pub closes, we don't just lose a business. We can lose jobs, a community meeting place, a piece of local history and somewhere that has brought people together for generations.
📊 And the national figures make sobering reading.
According to the British B**r and Pub Association:
• 295 pubs closed permanently across Britain between January and September 2026.
• Around 360 closures are forecast by the end of 2026 — roughly one a day.
• An estimated 5,000 jobs could be lost as a result.
Source: British B**r and Pub Association, October 2026.
These figures represent pubs across Britain, but they raise an important question for every town and village: what would our communities look like if these places were no longer here?
We know times are tough for everyone. This isn't about making anyone feel guilty for not being able to afford a night out. It's about recognising the challenges facing local businesses and appreciating the places we still have.
If you can, support your local. Visit for a drink or a meal, watch the football, join a quiz night, support a local event or recommend a pub to a friend. Even sharing an event on social media can help spread the word.
Let's celebrate the fantastic pubs and bars we have here in Sleaford and the surrounding villages, and recognise the people working hard behind the scenes to keep them going.
❤️ Our local pubs need their communities, and our communities need places where people can come together.
Let's get behind them, support them where we can and help keep the heart of our towns and villages beating.
🍻 SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL. SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY.
