CAMRA’s response to ONS pub closure statistics

In reponse to the release of the Economies of Ale study by the Office for National Statistics, which shows that since 2008 nearly a quarter of pubs have closed, please find the below quote:

CAMRA’s Chief Campaigns and Communications Officer Tom Stainer said: “These shocking new figures show the huge loss that has been felt by communities up and down the country as beloved locals have closed down. By focussing on the stability of turnover from pubs and bars since the recession this study fails to measure the loss of the benefits that local pubs bring to their communities. Pubs play a unique role in offering a social environment to enjoy a drink with friends, they help combat isolation and loneliness and help people feel connected to their community.

“With a quarter of pubs closing in the last decade, we need the government to act now to save our pubs from extinction.

“That’s why CAMRA has launched a three-point plan to save the Great British pub, calling for urgent reform to business rates, an urgent and full review of the Pubs Code, and a lower rate of duty for beer sold in pubs.”

To read more about CAMRA’s three-point plan, click here.

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