Raise a Pint on National Beer Garden Day: Support Local Pubs in Bridgend Before They Close for Good!

On May 22, the UK celebrates National Beer Garden Day – a day set aside for enjoying outdoor beverages. assembling friends, relatives, colleagues, or neighbors, and reveling in the sunshine during such gatherings local pub.

As the count of pubs and bars throughout the UK keeps dropping, a trade body has cautioned that increasing charges and expenses compel numerous establishments to close annually. It could simply be the opportunity to go and back your nearby community.

Data provided by the Office for National Statistics indicates that the count of pubs and bars in Bridgend has gone up compared to the previous year.

In 2024, there were approximately 85 openings – an increase from 80 in the previous year and also from 80 in 2019 prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Based on the latest population figures, it indicates that there were approximately 60 pubs and bars for every 100,000 individuals in the region last year. This figure is marginally higher than the national average of 58 establishments per 100,000 throughout England and Wales.

Throughout the UK, there were approximately 37,875 pubs and bars in 2024 – a decrease from the 38,175 recorded the prior year and marking the second smallest number since data collection started in 2010. This follows an all-time low of 37,865 establishments seen in 2021 post the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

These numbers were adjusted to the closest multiple of five.

Data provided by the Office for National Statistics reveals that the typical cost of a pint of lager in the UK climbed to £4.83 in January 2025. This represents an increase from £4.69 recorded in January the previous year and from £3.67 seen back in January 2019.

Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality, stated that the decreasing count of pubs and bars throughout the UK indicates the " extreme challenges" faced by licensed premises, including " severe cost pressures".

She cautioned that pub and bar closures have a " substantial effect" on local communities, and encouraged the Government to " assist in reducing expenses and alleviating the strain on companies".

She added: These serve as centres where individuals come together to celebrate, interact socially, and conduct business. Each facility that closes leads to job losses and affects people’s incomes, consequently having a substantial effect on the local economy.

We encourage everyone to frequent their nearby pubs and bars regularly. The situation truly boils down to using them or losing them.

Emma McClarkin, who leads the British Beer and Pub Association as CEO, stated: These statistics are devastating – not just due to the impact on staff and communities affected by closures – but also because this situation could be entirely prevented.

Pubs continue to trade robustly, yet surprising new charges for packaging, increased taxes, and higher employment expenses erase their minimal earnings, pushing many to close down.

The sole method for the Government to stop this pointless downturn is by providing pubs with an opportunity to thrive.

They need to revamp business rates that disadvantage physical stores, reassess the disorganised packaging charges, and alleviate the effect of rising labour costs so that pubs can stay operational.

The BBPA suggests that taxes account for rose by 40% of brewing revenues, and stated For every £3 spent in pubs, £1 goes to HMRC.

The Business Minister, Gareth Thomas, stated: " The traditional British pub plays a vital role in shaping our national character and community life, hence our efforts to back them strongly.

We’re collaborating with businesses to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and expedite licensing changes aimed at revitalising the UK’s nightlife scene. Additionally, we’ve introduced a lasting reduction in their business taxes, aiding these establishments in expanding and flourishing.