The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has issued a report this week which confirms that 52 pubs are going out of business each week at a cost of 24,000 jobs over the past 12 months. Since the onset of the recession nearly 2500 pubs and bars in UK have disappeared and the situation could well continue for some time to come. A mixture of increased taxes, higher business rates and lower beer sales has impacted in many areas of the country.

During the 1990 recession a total of 36 pubs a week were going out of business which perfectly illustrates the difficult times ahead in the UK pub industry. The onset of cheap booze in supermarkets up and down the country has also impacted upon trading levels although it is predominantly red tape and increased business rates which appear to have done the most damage.

When you consider that the number of pubs in the UK had remained fairly steady at 60,000 for some years, the reduction to just over 53,000 has surprised many although unfortunately it looks as though the figure could fall further before the UK recession ends. Local communities are also been impacted by the demise of their local "drinking holes" although the ever-rising cost of a pint of beer has not helped the situation.

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