Raise a Pint on National Beer Garden Day: Support Local Pubs in East Hertfordshire Amidst Closure Wave

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 decreasing, a trade body has cautioned that escalating charges and expenses compel numerous establishments to close annually. It could simply be the opportunity to back your nearby community.

Data provided by the Office for National Statistics indicates that the count of pubs and bars in East Hertfordshire has seen a slight rise compared to the previous year.

In 2024, there were approximately 135 openings, which is a slight increase from the 130 recorded the previous year, though it remains fairly consistent with the 130 openings seen back in 2019 prior to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Based on the latest population figures, there were approximately 92 pubs and bars for every 100,000 individuals in the region last year. This figure surpasses the English and Welsh average of 58 establishments per 100,000 inhabitants.

Throughout the UK, there were approximately 37,875 pubs and bars in 2024 – a decrease from 38,175 in the prior year and the second smallest number since records started in 2010, coming just above an all-time low of 37,865 in 2021 post-Covid-19 outbreak.

These numbers were adjusted to the closest multiple of five.

According to separate ONS data, the average cost of a pint of lager in the UK climbed to £4.83 in January 2025, an increase from £4.69 recorded in January 2024 and up significantly 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 the shutting of pubs and bars has a " substantial effect" on local communities, and encouraged the Government to " assist in reducing expenses and alleviating the strain on enterprises".

She added: These serve as centres where individuals come together to celebrate, interact, and work. The loss of each one results in job losses and affects peoples' livelihoods, significantly impacting local economies.

We encourage everyone to back 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 have been entirely prevented.

Pubs continue to trade robustly, yet surprising new charges for packaging, increased taxes, and higher employment expenses erode their minimal profits, compelling 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 increased by 40% of brewing revenues, and mentioned For every £3 spent in pubs, £1 goes to HMRC.

The Business Minister, Gareth Thomas, stated: " The renowned British pub plays a crucial role in shaping our national character and local neighbourhoods; hence, we are striving to provide them with strong backing.

We’re collaborating with the industry to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and expedite licensing changes aimed at enhancing Britain’s nightlife experience. Additionally, we’ve introduced a lasting reduction in their business rates, aiding these businesses in expanding and flourishing.