bout 230 pubs closed in the second quarter of this year, according to official statistics.
The data showed that pubs are closing at the rate of two per day across England and Wales, and the number of closures has risen by 50 per cent from 153 during three months prior.
The costs of running a pub have soared alongside consumers finding themselves with limited disposable income and unable to afford a pint.
In his spring budget Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a tax relief of 11p on draught drinks served in pubs from August 1.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said at the time that the relief is welcome, but not enough.
Duty on non-draught beer rose in August, but the measures “won’t rebalance the catastrophic impact” of “soaring inflation and unfair energy contracts”, Ms McClarkin said.
Alex Probyn, the president of property tax at Altus Group, urged Hunt to take action in his autumn November statement to ease the pressure of high business rates on the sector.
“With energy costs up 80 per cent year on year in a low growth, high inflation and high-interest rates environment, the last thing pubs need is an average business rates hike of £12,385 next year,” said Mr Probyn.
A total of 383 pubs were demolished or converted into homes, offices or day nurseries during the first half of the year – close to the total of 386 closures seen over the whole of 2022.
Out of all regions, Wales has lost the highest number of pubs this year, with 52 disappearing, while London and North-West lost 46 pubs each.
Eligible pubs, leisure and retail businesses can get business rate bills discounted by 75% for the year to 31 March 2024 up to a cap of £110,000 per business.