Higher tax and staff costs see eight pubs closing every week

EIGHT pubs closed every week in the first six months of the year due to rising tax and labour costs, figures show.

- By Laura Zilincanova

Up to the end of June, 209 were demolished or converted for other uses, leaving just 38,780 pubs still serving pints.

Since 2020, 2,283 have vanished for good in England and Wales, with many converted into new homes, offices or day nurseries, according to Valuation Office Agency data.

Industry bosses are pressing for more supportive measures from the Treasury ahead of the autumn Budget.