Hull and East Riding loses three pubs in two years as small venues struggle
It's due to inflation and rising living costs
Hull and the East Riding have lost three pubs in two years as inflation and rising living costs leave small venues to struggling compete with large chains, one worker said.
Property advisers Altus Group’s research showed Hull’s pub numbers fell from 209 to 207 and from 333 to 332 in the East Riding from March 2020 to June 2022.
A worker at Hull’s Rugby Tavern said inflation was pushing up costs for their venue while driving customers away to chain pubs able to undercut smaller rivals.
Altus Group’s UK President Robert Hayton said: “Whilst pubs proved remarkably resilient during the coronavirus pandemic, they’re now facing new headwinds grappling with the cost of doing business crisis through soaring energy costs, inflationary pressures and tax rises.”
It comes as figures showed England and Wales lost 200 pubs, including ones vacant or up to let, between March 2021 and Thursday, June 30.
There were 40,173 pubs in March 2021 but the number dropped to 39,973 by the end of June.
The nations have lost 913 from March 2020 to the end of last month and this year is the first time pub numbers have dropped below 40,000.
Yorkshire and the Humber lost 18 pubs from March 2021 to the end of June and 91 between last month and March 2020.
The total number of pubs in the region fell from 4,345 to 4,327 in just over a year, according to the research based on Valuation Office Agency data.
Altus Group figures showed pub numbers fell by 7,107 in the last decade, with 47,080 pubs in England and Wales in June 2012.
The Rugby Tavern worker, who asked not to be named, said their trade had plummeted after they were forced to put up prices.
The pub worker said: “It’s had a knock-on effect with our customers, after the pandemic people took to drinking at home and it’s not just the case for us, it’s happening with pubs all over.
“On top of that people aren’t coming out to drink during the week anymore, so business is difficult, it’s bad for everyone in this trade at the moment.
“We’re not ordering half as much stock as we used to, the levels of trade impact on what we get in.
“It’s a worry because we’re thinking if things continue on like this then pubs are going to start closing.
“We can’t compete with the bigger chains, like Wetherspoons, who can afford to sell pints for £2.
“And we don’t serve food which also helps to get income for pubs that do.
“The pubs who can sell cheap drinks are doing all right because with the cost of living situation customers are going to the places with the lowest prices.”