Nearly a quarter of UK pubs have closed in the past decade as the industry consolidates and focuses on larger premises, according to data from the Office of National Statistics.
There are 38,815 pubs in the country, down by 22.9% from more than 50,000 in 2008. Despite this, total pub revenue has remained relatively stable – falling by just 4% since the recession – and the number of pub jobs has risen by 6% since 2008.
These figures reflect a continuing fall in the number of small pubs since the recession due to those being hardest hit.
Among independent businesses, employment in small pubs (fewer than 10 employees) is down by 38% since 2008 while employment in large pubs (more than 25 employees) has more than doubled.
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