Written by Gideon ReichentalPublished: 30th April 2026Last update: 6th August 2026
Britain’s pub industry is in a deepening crisis. According to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), 161 pubs closed across England, Scotland and Wales in the first three months of 2026 — an average of two closures every day, a 26% increase on the same period in 2025, and equivalent to around 2,400 jobs lost in a single quarter.
For property owners, landlords and asset managers with pub sites in their portfolios, the question of what happens to these buildings after they close carries real practical implications around security, liability and long-term asset protection.
Contents
Key takeaways
Two pubs are closing every day in 2026, based on Q1 BBPA figures
161 pubs closed in Q1 2026 — a 26% increase on the same period in 2025
336 pubs closed across the UK in 2025; 412 in England and Wales in 2024
More than 2,000 pubs have closed since 2020
The number of pubs in England and Wales has fallen below 39,000 for the first time
Scotland suffered the heaviest losses in Q1 2026, with 41 closures; Wales was the only region to gain pubs, adding three
Q1 2026 closures are estimated to have cost around 2,400 jobs
Why are pubs closing?
The BBPA attributes closures to rising labour costs, increased taxation, and cautious consumer spending. Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “The scale of these closures is avoidable because pubs are doing a brisk trade, but their profits are wiped out by a disproportionate tax burden and huge costs. For too many, the sheer weight of taxes and regulatory costs have forced them to shut up shop, which will only hurt communities, workers, and the wider economy.”
The autumn 2024 Budget added an estimated £650 million in additional costs across the sector through increases to employer National Insurance contributions, minimum wage obligations, and a cut in business rates relief from 75% to 40%. The government introduced a 15% business rates relief for pubs and music venues in April 2026, but industry bodies are pressing for a longer-term overhaul. For every three pounds spent in a pub, one goes directly to the tax man.
Regional picture: Q1 2026
Scotland: 41 closures (4,188 pubs remaining)
South East: 26 closures (5,643 remaining)
North West: 18 closures (5,145 remaining)
London: 17 closures (3,432 remaining)
East of England: 16 closures (3,682 remaining)
South West: 13 closures (4,582 remaining)
West Midlands: 11 closures (3,910 remaining)
Yorkshire and The Humber: 10 closures (4,235 remaining)
East Midlands: 10 closures (3,579 remaining)
North East: 2 closures (1,926 remaining)
Wales: +3 pubs (2,901 total) — the only region to grow
When a pub closes, the building does not disappear. It enters a period of vacancy that can last weeks, months or years depending on whether the site is sold, redeveloped or left while planning permissions are sought. Many closed pubs are converted to housing, offices and other uses. Others remain vacant during ownership transitions.
During that period, a closed pub carries many of the same security risks as any other vacant commercial property. Large footprints, multiple access points, cellars, outbuildings and car parks create vulnerabilities that need active management. Without adequate security in place, vacant pub sites attract fly-tipping, vandalism, unauthorised access and, in some cases, squatters or travellers.
Securing a vacant pub: what owners and property managers need to consider
Steel security screens and doors. Entry points including main doors, cellar hatches and outbuilding access should be secured with steel security screens and metal security doors. Standard locks and boarded windows are not sufficient for a building that may remain vacant for an extended period.
CCTV and alarm monitoring. A vacant property alarm system linked to remote CCTV monitoring provides 24-hour oversight without requiring permanent on-site presence. Incidents are detected and responded to in real time, limiting damage and reducing liability.
Regular property inspections. Most insurers require evidence of regular inspections for vacant commercial properties. Vacant property inspection services provide a documented record of condition, which is essential both for insurance compliance and for managing the asset ahead of sale or redevelopment.
Car park and perimeter control. Pub car parks are frequently targeted for fly-tipping, traveller encampments and antisocial behaviour when a site closes. Concrete barrier hire provides immediate, cost-effective perimeter control without permanent infrastructure.
If you own or manage a pub site that has closed or is at risk of closure, contact Clearway to discuss a vacant property security assessment.
A closed pub is often one of the more complex vacant properties to secure. The building type tends to have multiple ground-floor access points, large windows, open beer gardens and car parks, and sometimes outbuildings that are easy to miss in an initial inspection. The risk profile changes quickly once a building is empty and unmonitored.
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FAQs
How many pubs are closing in the UK?
Approximately two pubs are closing every day in 2026, according to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA). 161 pubs closed across England, Scotland and Wales in Q1 2026 alone, following 336 closures in 2025 and 412 in England and Wales in 2024. More than 2,000 pubs have closed since the start of the Covid pandemic in 2020.
Why are so many pubs closing?
The primary drivers are rising operational costs and a disproportionate tax burden. Increases to employer National Insurance contributions and the minimum wage, combined with the reduction of business rates relief from 75% to 40% in 2025, have pushed many pubs into an unviable position even where customer demand remains strong. The BBPA estimates the cumulative Budget impact added £650 million in costs across the sector.
Which region has seen the most pub closures?
Scotland recorded the highest number of closures in Q1 2026, with 41 pubs shutting between January and March. The South East (26 closures) and North West (18 closures) also saw significant losses. Wales was the only region to report a net increase, gaining three pubs over the same period.
What happens to a pub building when it closes?
A closed pub becomes a vacant commercial property, which may remain empty for months or years while it is sold, converted or redeveloped. Common alternative uses include housing, offices and nurseries. During the vacancy period the building requires active security management to prevent fly-tipping, vandalism, unauthorised access and squatting.
Do pub owners need specialist security for a closed pub?
Yes. Closed pubs present a more complex security challenge than many standard commercial properties due to their large footprints, multiple access points, cellar hatches, beer gardens and car parks. Standard boarding is not sufficient for an extended vacancy. Steel security screens, remote CCTV monitoring, alarm systems and regular property inspections are the recommended baseline for a vacant pub site.
Who is responsible for securing a closed pub?
The property owner or their appointed managing agent is responsible for the security and condition of a vacant pub. Most commercial property insurers require evidence of regular inspections and adequate physical security as a condition of cover. Failure to secure the building adequately can invalidate insurance and create liability if the property is accessed or damaged.
Can Clearway help with securing a closed pub?
Yes. Clearway provides vacant property security services for commercial properties including closed pubs. This includes steel screens and doors, remote CCTV monitoring, vacant property alarms, regular inspections and perimeter control for car parks and outdoor spaces. Contact Clearway to arrange a security assessment for a vacant pub site.
Gideon is an experienced property specialist with almost ten years dedicated to the field of vacant property security and services. With a strong commitment to customer service and operational support, he has built extensive expertise in protecting vulnerable and unoccupied buildings through practical, risk-based security solutions.
His experience includes directly managing portfolios of more than 200 vacant properties, alongside senior management responsibility for wider portfolios exceeding 2,000 properties. This has given him a detailed understanding of the challenges involved in securing vacant assets, from preventing trespass, theft, vandalism, and arson to helping clients maintain compliance, reduce liability, and protect long-term property value.
Gideon has strong technical knowledge of the measures used to secure vacant properties, including steel security screens and doors, monitored alarm systems, CCTV, mobile response, site inspections, and temporary fire and life safety solutions. At Clearway, he supports the delivery of tailored protection strategies designed around the specific risk profile of each property, helping clients secure and manage unoccupied assets with confidence.
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