Nearly 1,000 British pubs have vanished in a year

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Almost 1,000 pubs vanished from communities in Britain last year, as the industry was hit by intense cost pressures and business rate increases. “Unless positive action is taken by the Government to address crippling costs, more pubs will be forced out of business.” Earlier this month, the Campaign for Real Ale warned that business rate increases are forcing publicans to lay off staff, increase prices and hold off investment. Camra chief executive Tom Stainer said: “Since the last business rates revaluation in 2017, it has been clear that the system simply isn’t working for publicans.” However, the rate at which pubs are vanishing, either through demolition or conversion for other uses such as homes or offices, eased significantly, according to the new data. Alex Probyn, president of expert services at Altus Group, said: “The increase in the thresholds at which businesses, such as pubs, pay business rates coupled with the pubs discount during the last two financial years has helped ease the decline.