Our Pubs:
The Soul of Britain
More than somewhere to get a drink. Pubs are employers, community anchors, heritage landmarks, and the irreplaceable social fabric of the United Kingdom. Here’s why they’re worth fighting for.
Six reasons pubs are irreplaceable
Pubs aren’t just businesses. They’re woven into the economic, social, and cultural fabric of Britain in ways that nothing else replicates.
Employment
Hospitality employs 3.5 million people directly, with a further 3.0 million employed indirectly — making it the third largest private sector employer in the United Kingdom.
Pubs are often the first employer for young people, providing real work experience, genuine career paths, and life skills that no classroom can replicate.
Source: UKHospitality Facts and Stats (2023)
Economy
In 2022, the hospitality sector contributed £54 billion in tax receipts to the Treasury, including VAT, employer National Insurance, business rates, and other taxation.
Yet this same sector is taxed more heavily and less fairly than almost any comparable industry — particularly when compared to supermarkets selling the same drinks.
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.
Almost every pub owner and General Manager started their career in an entry-level position — washing pots, running plates, or serving behind the bar. The industry is built on genuine meritocracy.
Source: UK Government Department for Business and Trade
Community
In an increasingly automated and isolated world, pubs remain one of the last truly communal spaces — places where people of all backgrounds, ages, and circumstances come together without agenda.
For elderly residents in particular, the local pub is often the only regular social contact they have. When it closes, that contact disappears entirely.
Heritage
The first pubs can be traced to 43 AD during the Roman invasion of Britain, when ‘tabernae’ were built alongside Roman roads. These evolved into Anglo-Saxon alehouses, creating the foundation of today’s pub culture.
British pubs have survived the Norman Conquest, the Black Death, two World Wars, and numerous recessions. What faces them today is arguably the most complex threat in that entire history.
Source: Historic UK: The History of the British Pub
Tourism
The British pub is one of the most recognisable cultural exports in the world. Visitors from across the globe come to Britain specifically to experience pub culture — something utterly unique to these islands.
Losing our pub network doesn’t just affect communities — it erodes one of Britain’s most distinctive and valued global identities.
The British pub:
a living timeline
Roman Tabernae
The Romans establish drinking establishments ‘tabernae’ along their roads to serve troops and travellers — the earliest ancestors of the British pub.
Anglo-Saxon Alehouses
After the Romans depart, Anglo-Saxon alehouses emerge as community gathering places — often run from private homes, serving home-brewed ale.
The Golden Age
By 1577, England and Wales have approximately 17,000 alehouses, 2,000 inns and 400 taverns — one pub for every 200 people. Today that ratio stands at one per 1,000.
The Victorian Gin Palace
The Victorian era sees the rise of the ornate gin palace — elaborate, gas-lit establishments that set the aesthetic template for the traditional British pub still recognisable today.
The Red Lion Reigns
‘The Red Lion’ becomes the most common pub name in Britain — a tradition dating back to the heraldic symbol of Scotland, popularised after the union of the crowns in 1603.
Under Threat — We Fight Back
2,283+ pubs have closed since 2020 alone. But for the first time, a unified national campaign is mobilising pub owners, customers, and supporters to reverse this trend.
You might not know…
Two thousand years of history leaves quite a legacy. Here are some of our favourite pub facts.
50 Million Adults, Fewer Than 50,000 Pubs
There are over 50 million adults in the UK, but fewer than 50,000 pubs remaining. That’s one pub per 1,000 adults — down from one per 200 in the golden age of 1577.
The Oldest Pub in Britain
Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans, Hertfordshire, is often cited as one of Britain’s oldest pubs — with parts of the building dating back to the 8th century.
‘Pub’ Is Short For…
‘Public House’ — a place legally open to any member of the public. This fundamental principle of inclusion and openness is what makes the pub distinct from any private members’ club or restaurant.
The Red Lion Legacy
‘The Red Lion’ is the most common pub name in Britain, with over 500 still trading. It derives from the heraldic symbol of Scotland and became widespread after King James VI of Scotland became James I of England in 1603.
Six Pubs Closed Every Week
Based on current closure rates, the UK is losing more than six pubs every week — or roughly one per day. At this rate, a child born today will grow up in a Britain with dramatically fewer pubs than their parents knew.
A Global Icon
The British pub is one of the most replicated concepts in the world, with ‘British pubs’ found in over 50 countries. Yet ironically, the original is disappearing from the country that invented it.
Now you know why they matter —
help us save them
The facts are stark. The loss is real. But with enough people acting together, we can turn this around.
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.
