Rising costs see pubs close at fastest rate this century

MORE than 400 publicans have called time on their boozers this year, sunk by soaring bills and the fallout from lockdowns.

- By Felix Armstrong

The closure rate in the first 10 months of 2025 is the worst this century, with 449 businesses hiring liquidators or administrators.

That's 5% up on the same time last year and more than triple the 2025 rate. Kate Nicholls, who chairs trade body UK Hospitality, said pubs and restaurants are still burdened with Covid debt and overwhelmed by business rate and national insurance hikes at last year's Budget.

She said: "These figures reflect what we've been saying for some time. The money coming through the front door is not enough to cover the costs of doing business - and therefore many businesses are running out of road."