Pubs need more support, says CAMRA group as two close every day
The British Beer and Pub Association says 161 pubs have shut in the first quarter of this year
A campaign group supporting pubs in South Wiltshire says it is concerned by reports that two pubs per day have closed their doors in the first quarter of 2026.
The British Beer and Pubs Association (BBPA) says 161 establishments shut between January and March this year, with the loss of over 2,400 jobs.
In the same period in 2025, 128 pubs closed, representing a jump of more than a quarter.
Steve Stringer from the Salisbury and South Wiltshire Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said it's a major worry for rural villages.
"In rural communities, it's often now the only place that people can go apart from the church. It's a place where people can congregate, socialise and it is known as a fact that a community that has a thriving pub is a happy community," he said.
The BBPA puts the closures down to a high tax burden and escalating running costs.
Emma McClarkin, CEO 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."
Steve agreed that these costs are holding the industry back, calling for business rates to be made more even.
"Pubs are facing one pound in every three going in taxes, whether it's VAT, duty, business rates. unemployment costs. There needs to be help across the board for hospitality, but particularly rural pubs. And I think the government needs to look at support for rural communities much more."
Early this year, the Government announced business rates support for pubs after warnings from the sector that further tax changes could lead to more closures and job losses.
A 15% tax relief for pubs and music venues came into effect last month.
Community the key to keeping pubs alive
It's not all doom and gloom though, as Steve told us about efforts in Enford, where he lives, to save The Swan pub.
Describing it as an "ongoing success story", he revealed that the pub is thriving again a year after it was bought by the community.
Steve said: "We have 58 volunteers dealing with every aspect of the pub, whether it's the garden, the maintenance, the bar shifts.
"People have been absolutely brilliant and it's caused a real cohesion in the community and I really believe for rural communities to support their pub and take ownership quite literally."
He stressed the importance of pubs, saying they're "part of our history", and that they are a key tool in bringing people together from all parts of the community.