Our Pubs

Why Our Pubs Matter and what they mean to you

Why Our Pubs Matter

Employment

3rd Largest Employer in the UK

Hospitality employs 3.5 million people directly, with a further 3.0 million employed indirectly. This makes it the third largest private sector employer in the United Kingdom.

Source: UKHospitality Facts and Stats (2023); Wikipedia: Hospitality industry in the United Kingdom

Economy

£54 Billion Tax Contribution

In 2022, the hospitality sector contributed £54 billion in tax receipts to the Treasury, including VAT, employer National Insurance, business rates, and other taxation.

Communication

Leading Employer of Young People

The hospitality sector is one of the biggest employers of under-21s, often providing young people with their first job and essential work experience. Government initiatives specifically target hospitality for youth employment programs.

Source: UK Government Department for Business and Trade; UKHospitality youth employment initiatives

Career Paths

Career Path from the Ground Up

Almost every pub owner and General Manager started their career in entry-level positions - washing pots, running plates, or serving behind the bar. The hospitality industry is built on genuine meritocracy and opportunity, where dedication and hard work lead to advancement.

Source: HRC International: Career Path in Hospitality Jobs; Monster.com industry analysis

Community

The Human Touch in a Digital Age

Whether you're a fan of AI or not, your local pub will only be offering a human touch to enrich your experience. In an increasingly automated world, pubs remain bastions of genuine human connection and personal service.

Heritage

The First Pubs: 43 AD

The first pubs can be traced back to 43 AD during the Roman invasion of Britain, when 'tabernae' (Roman drinking establishments) were built alongside Roman roads to serve legionary troops. These evolved into Anglo-Saxon alehouses after the Romans left in the fifth century, creating the foundation of today's pub culture.

Source: Historic UK: The History of the British Pub; Wikipedia: Pub

1+

Pub Closes Every Single Day in the UK

209

Pubs Closed Permanently

20%+

of pubs are technically Insolvent

2.283+

Pubs Closed Since 2020

Fascinating Pub Facts

The Golden Age of Pubs
By 1577, there were approximately 17,000 alehouses, 2,000 inns and 400 taverns in England and Wales - equating to one pub for every 200 people. Today, that ratio has dropped to approximately one pub per 1,000 people.
Source: Historical records via Wikipedia: Pub

The Red Lion Reigns
The most popular pub name in the UK is the Red Lion, which became fashionable thanks to John of Gaunt, the third son of Edward III. Thousands of pubs across Britain bear this name.
Source: British pub history records

Where Love Begins
Almost one in four Britons will meet their future spouse in a pub. These aren't just drinking establishments - they're where communities form, friendships flourish, and families begin.
Source: British social surveys

The Oldest Pub in Britain
There are over 50,000 pubs in the United Kingdom, with the oldest being Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, founded in 793 AD - making it over 1,200 years old.
Source: Guinness World Records; Historic pubs of Britain

Where History Was Made
The Eagle pub in Cambridge is where Francis Crick and James Watson first publicly announced their discovery of the structure of DNA - one of the most important scientific breakthroughs of the 20th century.

The Eagle and Child in Oxford is where JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis met every Tuesday to discuss their literary work, giving birth to Middle-earth and Narnia over pints and conversation.
Source: British pub cultural history

The Crisis We Face

Alarming Closure Rates

Since the smoking ban in 2007, 11,383 pubs had closed by 2017. Another 7,000 have shut since the pandemic, meaning there are now less than 40,000 pubs in England and Wales - the lowest since records began.

At the current rate, we're losing a vital piece of British heritage and community infrastructure every single day.

Source: British pub closure statistics 2017-2024

Sources and References

UKHospitality: "Facts and Stats" (2023)
Wikipedia: "Hospitality industry in the United Kingdom" (2022 data)
Historic UK: "The History of the British Pub"
UK Government Department for Business and Trade: Youth employment initiatives
HRC International: "Career Path in Hospitality Jobs"
Monster.com: "Break into the Hospitality Industry"
Guinness World Records: Oldest pubs
British Beer & Pub Association: Pub closure statistics
Various historical records and academic sources on British pub history
All statistics and facts verified through web research conducted December 2024. Sources available upon request for any specific claims.

Don't worry, we can help!

Another one bites the dust!

From market towns to city centres, our beloved pubs are disappearing at an alarming rate. These aren't just buildings - they're the soul of our communities, where friendships are forged, stories are shared, and British culture lives and breathes.