More than 200 pub closures in six months in 'heartbreaking' trend

More than 200 UK pubs closed in the first half of the year as part of a "heartbreaking" trend which industry bosses fear is set to accelerate.

Analysis of government figures revealed 209 pubs were demolished or converted for other uses over the opening six months of 2025 - around eight every week. The South East was hit the hardest, losing 31 pubs during the period.

It means 2,283 pubs have vanished from communities across England and Wales since the start of 2020. Industry bosses said the "really sad pattern" is being driven by the high costs faced by pubs - and called for government reforms to business rates and beer duty.

Many pubs have been hit by changes to discounts on business rates, the property tax affecting high street businesses. Hospitality businesses received a 60% discount on their business rates up to a cap of £110,000 - but this was cut to only 25% in April.

Pub owners had warned such a move would place significant pressure on their industry. Last month, the owner of a pub told Sky News "you can't make money anymore" and "it's not surprising so many pubs are closing at an alarming rate".

'Staying open becomes impossible' A rise in the national minimum wage and national insurance payments have also increased bills for pubs. Alex Probyn, of commercial real estate specialists Ryan, which analysed the government data, said the higher costs are "all quietly draining profits until staying open becomes impossible".

He added: "Slashing business rates relief for pubs from 75% to 40% this year has landed the sector with an extra £215m in tax bills. "For a small pub, that's a leap in the average bill from £3,938 to £9,451 - a 140% increase." Read more from Sky News:Sharp rise in disabled people facing homelessness Nearly 2,000 soldiers fighting Spain fires 'A lot of these pubs never come back' Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer And Pub Association, said: "It's absolutely heartbreaking and there is a direct link between pubs closing for good and the huge jump in costs they have just endured.

"Pubs and brewers are important employers, drivers of economic growth, but are also really valuable to local communities across the country and have real social value. "This is a really sad pattern, and unfortunately a lot of these pubs never come back.

"The government needs to act at the budget, with major reforms to business rates and beer duty.".