Companies House data shows 22,983 new pub and bar companies registered between January 2023 and February 2026, against 18,124 dissolutions. That is a net gain of +4,859 pub businesses in three years. “One pub closing every day” is true. But roughly 20 new pub companies register every day too. The pub is not disappearing. It is transforming.
The Headline That Never Goes Away
No sector in UK hospitality gets more sympathetic media coverage than the pub. And no stat gets repeated more often than the closure figures.
“One pub closing per day in England and Wales” (The Guardian, January 2026). “378 pub closures in 2025” (BBPA). “1,086 pubs shut between January and October 2025” (CAMRA). Total pubs in England and Wales down from 38,989 to 38,623 between December 2024 and December 2025 (Morning Advertiser, citing CGA data).
These numbers are from credible sources and they deserve to be taken seriously. Traditional pubs, particularly wet-led ones in suburban and rural areas, are under genuine pressure from rising business rates, higher employer NICs, energy costs, and changing drinking habits.
But there is a question that none of these reports answer: how many new pub businesses opened in the same period?
We checked.
22,983 new pub and bar companies registered at Companies House between January 2023 and February 2026. 18,124 dissolved. Net result: +4,859 more pub businesses than when we started counting.
The Year-by-Year Picture
Breaking it down by calendar year, the pattern is consistent: new pub registrations have outpaced dissolutions every single year. But the gap is narrowing.
| Year | New Registrations | Dissolutions | Net Change | Ratio |
| 2023 | 7,246 | 5,016 | +2,230 | 1.44x |
| 2024 | 7,276 | 5,710 | +1,566 | 1.27x |
| 2025 | 7,248 | 6,357 | +891 | 1.14x |
| 2026 (Jan-Feb) | 1,213 | 1,041 | +172 | 1.17x |
In 2023, for every pub company that dissolved, 1.44 new ones registered. By 2025 that ratio had dropped to 1.14x. The net growth is slowing, and the Q4 figures for both 2024 and 2025 actually went negative, driven by the same December dip we see across all hospitality sectors.
But the important point is this: the total didn’t go negative for any full calendar year. New registrations still keep pace with and exceed dissolutions, even through what the industry calls its “worst cost crisis in a generation.”
31 Positive Months Out of 38
The monthly data shows new pub registrations sitting above dissolutions for the majority of the period. Out of 38 months tracked, 31 recorded net positive growth.
The seven negative months were all either December, or months in the second half of 2025 when cost pressures peaked. March is consistently the strongest month for new registrations, just like it is across the wider hospitality sector.
The cumulative picture is clear enough: a steady climb from zero to nearly +5,000 net new pub companies over three years.
Why Does Everyone Think Pubs Are Dying?
If nearly 23,000 new pub companies have registered in three years, why does every headline say pubs are disappearing?
Because they are measuring different things.
- “Pub closures” count physical premises, not businesses
When the BBPA says 378 pubs closed in 2025, they mean 378 physical pub buildings stopped operating as pubs. Some were demolished. Some converted to housing. Some became restaurants or shops. The building closed. But the Companies House data measures legal entities. A pub company dissolving might mean the building re-opens under a different company name within months. A new pub company registering might take over an existing site, convert a different building, or open something entirely new.
- Not all “pub companies” run traditional pubs
SIC code 56302 covers “Public houses and bars.” That includes traditional locals, gastropubs, wine bars, cocktail bars, micropubs, taprooms, sports bars, and any other licensed premises where drink service is the primary activity. The Companies House definition is much wider than the image that “pub closure” headlines bring to mind.
- The pub is not one thing anymore
The old model, a wet-led pub selling mainly beer with perhaps a packet of crisps, is the one that is struggling. But the formats replacing it are still registered under the same SIC code:
- Micropubs: Over 500 micropubs are now operating across the UK, up from around 200 in 2017. The Morning Advertiser reports that almost 1,000 have opened since the first micropub launched in 2005
- Taprooms: Brewery-attached taprooms and tasting rooms have expanded rapidly alongside the UK craft beer market, which is now worth an estimated USD 5.1 billion (IMARC Group) and growing at 8.92% CAGR
- Food-led pubs: Pubs where food accounts for 50% or more of revenue are outperforming drink-led venues. Managed pub groups reported like-for-like sales growth of 5.1% in December 2025 (MCA Insight)
- Bars and specialist venues: Bars segment grew by 5.9% between December 2023 and December 2024 (Lumina Intelligence/CGA), even while overall pub numbers declined
Transformation, Not Decline
What the data shows is a sector going through a format shift, not a collapse. The old pub model is being replaced by newer formats that work in today’s market.
Here is what that shift looks like:
| What is Closing | What is Opening | Why |
| Wet-led suburban locals | Micropubs with curated ale selections | Lower overheads, community focus, no TV or fruit machines |
| Large traditional pubs with high rates | Taprooms attached to local breweries | Direct-to-consumer, no middleman, experiential |
| Tied pubs with poor food | Independent gastropubs | Food drives 50%+ of revenue, better margins |
| Chain pubs with dated formats | Experience-led bars (darts, shuffleboard, karaoke) | Gen Z prioritise experience over just drinking |
| High-street bars with heavy rent | Small specialist wine/cocktail bars | Premium positioning, lower volume, higher margin |
The CGA/AlixPartners data actually supports this directly. In 2024, 4,078 licensed venues closed across the UK, but 4,085 new ones opened. An almost perfect replacement. The sector is churning, not shrinking.
The no-and-low alcohol category is accelerating this shift too. Sales of alcohol-free and low alcohol drinks in pubs grew by 23% in 2023 (CGA). That is not a threat to pubs; it brings in customers who would otherwise stay home. Pubs that stock a decent no-and-low range are attracting designated drivers, pregnant women, and people on health kicks who still want to socialise.
What Equipment Does a Modern Pub Need?
The transformation of the pub sector has direct implications for equipment. A traditional wet-led pub needed a cellar cooling system, a glasswasher, and not much else in the kitchen. Today’s pub operator needs a full commercial kitchen.
| Pub Format | Key Equipment Needed | Budget Range |
| Micropub | Bar refrigeration, glasswasher, small cellar cooling, handpull system | £5,000 – £12,000 |
| Taproom/Brewery Bar | Keg cooling system, glycol lines, glass-front display fridges, ice machine | £8,000 – £20,000 |
| Gastropub | Full commercial kitchen: combi oven, fryers, prep fridges, dishwasher, extraction | £20,000 – £50,000 |
| Cocktail/Wine Bar | Under-counter fridges, ice machine, blender station, glasswasher, bottle display | £8,000 – £18,000 |
| Experience-led Bar | Bar fit-out plus kitchen equipment if serving food | £15,000 – £35,000 |
The food-led pub trend is driving the biggest equipment spend. A gastropub kitchen is basically a restaurant kitchen: combi ovens, fryers, extraction, commercial dishwashers, and cold storage. Operators fitting out these spaces on a startup budget can save 30-50% by choosing B-Grade equipment, which is brand-new with minor cosmetic imperfections, full warranties, and the same performance as full-price stock.
Browse pub kitchen equipment at h2products.co.uk/product-category/b-grade-catering-equipment or h2products.co.uk/product-category/brand-new.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pubs are there in the UK?
As of December 2025, CGA data shows 38,623 pubs in England and Wales, down from 38,989 a year earlier. The BBPA estimated around 45,000 pubs across England, Wales, and Scotland. These figures count physical premises. Companies House data, which counts registered businesses under SIC 56302 (Public houses and bars), shows a different picture: 22,983 new pub companies were registered between January 2023 and February 2026.
How many pubs close each year in the UK?
The BBPA estimated 378 pub closures in 2025. CAMRA tracked 1,086 pub shutdowns between January and October 2025, including temporary closures and conversions. Companies House data shows 5,016 pub company dissolutions in 2023, 5,710 in 2024, and 6,357 in 2025. These figures are not directly comparable: a single pub premises might have multiple company changes, and a dissolution does not always mean the building stops being a pub.
Are new pubs still opening in the UK?
Yes. Companies House data shows approximately 7,250 new pub and bar company registrations per year. The bars segment specifically grew by 5.9% between December 2023 and December 2024 (Lumina Intelligence/CGA). Almost 1,000 micropubs have opened across the UK since 2005, with over 500 currently operating.
What is a micropub?
A micropub is a small, community-focused pub, typically occupying a former shop unit or other small commercial premises. They usually specialise in real ale and craft beer, have minimal overheads, avoid electronic entertainment, and focus on conversation. The format was pioneered in 2005 and has since grown to over 500 venues across the UK.
What equipment do I need to open a pub?
The equipment depends on the format. A micropub needs bar refrigeration, a glasswasher, cellar cooling, and handpull systems (£5,000-£12,000). A gastropub needs a full commercial kitchen including a combi oven, fryers, prep fridges, a commercial dishwasher, and extraction (£20,000-£50,000). B-Grade equipment reduces these costs by 30-50%.
Is opening a pub a good business idea in 2026?
The data is mixed. Traditional wet-led pubs face serious headwinds from business rates, NICs, and changing drinking habits. But food-led pubs, micropubs, taprooms, and experience-led bars are growing. Managed pub groups reported 5.1% like-for-like sales growth in December 2025. The UK craft beer market is worth USD 5.1 billion and growing at 8.92% CAGR. The format matters more than the sector. Choose your model carefully.
Data Sources and Methodology
| Source | Data Used | Access |
| Companies House API | Advanced Search: SIC 56302 (Pubs & Bars) and SIC 56301 (Licensed Clubs) incorporations and dissolutions, Jan 2023 to Feb 2026 | Free API |
| CGA / AlixPartners | Licensed premise counts, venue openings and closures 2024-2025 | Via trade press |
| BBPA | Pub closure count for 2025 (378) | Trade body reporting |
| CAMRA | Pub closures tracked Jan-Oct 2025 (1,086) | Campaign tracking |
| Morning Advertiser | Total pub count in England and Wales | Trade press |
| Lumina Intelligence / CGA | Bars segment growth +5.9% in 2024; managed pub LFL sales | Research reports |
| IMARC Group | UK craft beer market size: USD 5.1 billion | Market research |
| MCA Insight | Managed pub like-for-like sales +5.1% Dec 2025 | Research reports |
Companies House data was collected via the Advanced Search API in March 2026. All 38 months from January 2023 to February 2026 were queried for SIC code 56302 (Public houses and bars) and SIC code 56301 (Licensed clubs). Physical pub closure counts (BBPA, CAMRA) differ from company dissolution counts (Companies House) because they measure different things. This article uses both and makes the distinction clear.
References
Mainstream sources cited in this article:
- The Guardian. “One pub closing per day in England and Wales.” January 2026.
- “378 pub closures in 2025.” Annual pub count survey.
- “1,086 pubs shut between January and October 2025.” Pub closure tracking.
- Morning Advertiser. “Total pubs in England and Wales fell to 38,623.” Citing CGA data, January 2026.
- CGA/AlixPartners. Market Recovery Monitor: 4,078 closures vs 4,085 openings in 2024.
- Lumina Intelligence/CGA. Bars segment grew 5.9% between Dec 2023 and Dec 2024. UK pub market valued at £24.1bn.
- MCA Insight. Managed pub groups: like-for-like sales +5.1% in December 2025.
- Morning Advertiser. “Almost 1,000 micropubs opened since 2005.” October 2025.
- IMARC Group. UK craft beer market size: USD 5.1 billion, CAGR 8.92%.
- No/low alcohol sales in pubs up 23% in 2023.
- UK pubs and bars market projected at £30.5 billion in 2025.
