A wave of pub closures has claimed a string of locals that have been lauded for the quality of their real ale – with industry leaders calling on Labour for help
Dozens of Britain’s best rated pubs have closed in the past year – as campaigners warn the looming Budget will be “make or break” for the ailing industry.
The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has launched its latest Good Beer Guide, the definitive source for pubs that serve the finest cask beer. But it revealed that 36 pubs that were in last year’s edition have since been forced to shut. Of those, one has been converted and the rest are closed with an uncertain future.
Among the cherished pubs lost in the last year is the Post Office Vaults in Birmingham, described as a subterranean pub situated close to New Street Station and accessed by a single red door. Another is the Coach & Horses, in Sutton Scotney, Hampshire, praised by Camra as: “A traditional, local pub in operation since the late 1700s in a rural village that provides a friendly atmosphere to all.”
The Caledonia in Liverpool has shut despite the street corner pub being popular with students from the nearby university and colleges, and putting on a programme of live music events for which it was previously won an award. In an Instagram post in March, pub licensee Laura King said: “I have made the incredibly difficult decision to close The Caledonia permanently. I have fought hard since the pandemic and particularly over the last 12 months to keep the venue going. Despite incredible support and help, and with a huge amount of work having begun to restructure and build great new connections and events, it has become clear that in the current economic climate this current challenge is just one too far for me to fight through.”
She went on: “The cost-of-living crisis is crippling Community Venues, we are seeing compounding rising costs in utilities, stock, rent, rates and more all of which, and more, are set to rise again in April. That is coupled with a loss of customers because our community is struggling too. We are not the first to go and, without change, we won’t be the last.”
Meanwhile, The Hole in the Wall in Torquay is reputed to be the Devon seaside town’s oldest pub, dating back to around 1540, and hailed as “a real haven for real ale drinkers”. That did prevent it closing this April, with new tenants being sought.
Richard Rossendale-Cook, the pub’s landlord, told ITV News in March: “It’s just part of your life. I mean, I’m very, very sad, of course I’d like to carry on. But unless somebody comes up – a Russian oligarch or someone will give me £360,000 to go and pay off the bill, you know, you’re gonna shut and that’s the end of it.”
It comes as 590 pubs have closed since the start of the year, with a further 165 converted or demolished. To make matters worse, Camra says nearly 150 breweries have also shut in the past year.
The Mirror is campaigning to support the industry with its Your Pub Needs You crusade. We are calling for a government fighting fund for pubs, recognition for bars going above and beyond for their community, and support for groups wanting to buy their local.
News of the loss of so many prized pubs comes as industry leaders look to Chancellor Rachel Reeves to offer some relief in November’s Budget.
Ash Corbett-Collins, Camra Chairman, said: “This really is a make-or-break Budget for the Chancellor. It’s time for the Government to decide if they’re pro pubs and independent brewers, or if they are going to reign over the demise of the great British Pub. Consumers want decisive action to get independent beers onto bars and allow pubs to thrive.
“Each edition of the Good Beer Guide is a collectible snapshot of beer and pub culture that year. This year’s Guide is a testament to the remarkable resilience of publicans, continuing to achieve excellence and choice for consumers despite a backdrop of sky-high tax bills and a lack of action from Government. The Chancellor needs to use the upcoming Budget to slash the tax burden on pubs, including VAT, duty and National Insurance contributions.”
The 36 Good Beer Guide pubs to close in the past year
- Smugglers’ Alehouse, New Romney
- Unicorn, Cublington
- March Hare, Dunton
- Post Office Vaults, Birmingham
- Lamb, Stoke Goldington
- Royal Oak, Blean
- Tap House, Chesterfield
- Hops & Cheese, Hartlepool
- Trewellard Arms, Trewellard
- Louis Armstrong, Dover
- Coalhouse, Seaham
- Navaar House Hotel, Penicuik
- Ship Inn , Cockwood
- Malcolm Arms, Anton’s Gowt
- Coach & Horses, Sutton Scotney
- Town Hall Tavern, Leeds
- West End House, Leeds
- Tap & Barrel, Wigston
- Railway Tavern, Aby
- Lord Raglan, Staplehurst
- Caledonia, Liverpool
- Charlies Bar, Melton Mowbray
- Malt Shovel, Horsham
- Broad Face, Abingdon
- Trewern Arms, Nevern
- Cob & Coal Tap, Oldham
- Pooley’s, Messingham
- Hole In The Wall, Torquay
- Mill, Market Weston
- Rose & Crown, Halstead
- Wor Local, Prudhoe
- Sportsman, Croxley Green
- Shepherd’s Boy, Dewsbury
- Millers Arms, Pershore
- Constitutional Club, Bury St. Edmunds
- Exelby Green Dragon, Exelby
