Savor Local Flavors on National Beer Garden Day: Celebrate in Sunderland Before Pubs Close Nationwide

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 an event local pub.

As the count of pubs and bars throughout the UK keeps dropping, a trade association has cautioned that increasing 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 Sunderland has marginally decreased compared to the previous year.

In 2024, there were approximately 145 openings – a slight decrease from the 150 recorded in the previous year and down from 155 in 2019 prior to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Based on the latest population figures, it indicates that there were approximately 53 pubs and bars for every 100,000 individuals in the region last year. This figure falls short of the English and Welsh average of 58 establishments per 100,000 people.

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

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, marking an increase from £4.69 recorded in January 2024 and from £3.67 seen back in January 2019.

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

She cautioned that the shutdown 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 rejoice, interact, and be productive. The loss of each such space results in job losses and affects peoples' means of living, consequently having a substantial effect on the local economy.

We encourage people 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 be entirely prevented.

Pubs continue to trade robustly, yet surprising new charges for packaging, increased taxes, and higher employment expenses erase their minimal profit margins, compelling them to close down.

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

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

The BBPA suggests that taxes account for increased 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 crucial role in shaping our national character and local neighbourhoods; this is why we're striving to provide them with strong backing.

We’re collaborating with businesses to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and expedite licensing changes aimed at revitalising Britain’s nightlife. Additionally, we’ve introduced a lasting reduction in their business rates, aiding growth and prosperity for these establishments.