22/07/2026
Fewer pubs. More beer sold.
At first glance, those two statements don’t seem to belong together, but that’s exactly what we’re seeing.
The number of licensed premises continues to fall, yet draught beer sales are proving remarkably resilient. What does that tell us?
It tells us that people still want pubs.
When communities have access to a good local, they use it. They choose fresh draught beer, they meet friends, they celebrate, they watch sport and they support local businesses. The demand hasn’t disappeared.
The real problem isn’t a lack of customers. It’s that too many viable pubs are being squeezed by relentless taxation, rising employment costs, energy bills and outdated business rates.
Every time another pub closes, the remaining venues often become busier. That’s not a sign of a healthy industry – it’s a sign of contraction.
Imagine what Britain’s pub sector could achieve if Government focused on helping existing pubs thrive instead of merely surviving.
The public still wants pubs.
Now it’s time for policymakers to show they want them too.
