The urgent need for government support for pubs was highlighted with the releases of new figures showing the rocketing number of locals going bust.

Pub and bar insolvencies have increased by 83 per cent in the past year, from 280 in 2020/21, to 512, say accountants UHY Hacker Young.

Pub and bar companies have faced increasing costs and concerns over falling sales. Energy prices have soared and hit pub companies’ wallets hard throughout the winter after the government removed support for businesses’ energy bills.

The cost-of-living crisis, including interest rate rises, has impacted consumer habits, making them less likely to spend on non-essentials, including a drink or a meal at a pub. Rail strikes have also prevented many customers from travelling to pubs in town or city centres.

At the same time, inflation has pushed up the prices pubs need to pay for beer and food.

Following a difficult pandemic period, many pub and bar companies have very little by way of savings or capacity to borrow more. For some pub company owners, the current economic downturn has been the final push into insolvency.

UHY Hacker Young partner Peter Kubi said: “It’s deeply concerning that so many pubs and bars are closing their doors. In addition to the financial consequences for owners and employees, the loss of a pub can be felt quite keenly by the community.

“This is a particularly difficult period for pub and bar owners, who find they need to spend more and more while earning less and less. Following an extended period of lost revenues during the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis has been the final nail in the coffin for many.

“Perhaps the government should consider what it can do to alleviate pressures, for instance, by extending the energy bill relief scheme for the hospitality sector.”

CAMRA is urging people to campaign to save their pub. CAMRA’s one-minute lobbying tool matches people with their local MP and gives them a template email, making it easy for people to join the campaign to save their locals. The tool is available at: https://camra.e-activist.com/page/121106/action/1