Britain’s pubs have faced a tough year in 2025, with one establishment permanently closing its doors every day due to ongoing cost pressures.

New figures, from an analysis of official government statistics, reveal that 366 pubs were either demolished or repurposed for other uses in the 12 months to December.

Industry executives have described the situation as “drastic”, especially as many pubs are planning an increase in property tax payments from April. The data, compiled by Ryan’s tax specialists, shows a fall in the total number of pubs in England and Wales, including vacant premises, from 38,989 to 38,623 over the year.

Alex Probyn, head of property tax in Europe and Asia Pacific at Ryan, told the Press Association: “These pubs have closed permanently, not temporarily.

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“The buildings were demolished or transformed into housing, offices, nurseries, cafes or other uses.

“Once reused, they almost never return to pub use.”

These figures highlight growing pressure on the hospitality sector, with almost 2,000 pubs disappearing over the past five years, although the rate of decline has slowed slightly.

Every region in England and Wales recorded a net loss of pubs in 2025, with the biggest falls seen in the East Midlands, the North West and Yorkshire & the Humber, the figures show.

The closures come as pubs are among businesses facing increases to the national minimum wage and national insurance contributions in April this year.

Next year, many pubs will face a further increase in their costs, with average business rates payments for pubs set to rise from April following an average increase in rateable values ​​of 30 per cent.

Mr Probyn added: “This data should serve as a wake-up call. It reflects deep structural pressures on pubs.

“Many survived the pandemic thanks to resilience and community support, only to be pushed to the brink by rising costs and a rating system that no longer reflects economic reality. »

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “Every time we lose a pub we lose a piece of our social fabric.

“Many of these closures are completely unnecessary and result in a heavy tax and tax burden. That’s why it’s never been more vital to provide pub-specific business rates relief, which could prevent more closures and more job losses.

“The situation is dire and we want to work with the Government to ensure pubs get fair treatment, otherwise communities will lose local institutions they hold dear and, once they are gone, they will be gone for good.”

Four police officers escorted a man from a hospital after he allegedly attacked several people with a “crowbar” around midday on Tuesday (December 30). The suspect, a 20-year-old man from Afghanistan, reportedly became “increasingly agitated” when his request for a hospital appointment was refused and he was asked to leave. Shortly afterwards, Merseyside Police were called to Newton Community Hospital in Newton-le-Willows following reports that a man had assaulted a group of people.

The suspect allegedly damaged a hospital counter before attacking at least five people. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Video footage seen by the Liverpool Echo shows the moment a man was escorted by four police officers from the hospital to a waiting van, with at least six other patrol cars surrounding the building.

Local councilor Seve Gomez-Aspron told the Echo that a family friend had rushed to his father’s house nearby saying someone was attacking hospital staff.

He said: “At around 12.10pm I received a phone call from my father, who lives next to the hospital, informing me that a family friend had run home to tell him that someone was attacking hospital staff and damaging the reception area.

“I live nearby so I told him to call the police and rushed to the hospital so I got there within minutes. From receiving the call until I arrived there was a massive emergency response to deal with the incident.”

A local store employee told the news site that a woman ran into his store covered in blood, asking him to call the police.

“She had a lot of blood on the back of her head and on her shoulder. She was shaking and upset,” Sugedaran Shanmugaraja said.

“I had to stay with the customers because I had a long queue but I handed her my phone and she called the police. Then there were 10 or 15 police cars and an ambulance. I gave her a bottle of water and then a nurse from the hospital came in and helped the lady.”

Forensic doctors were examined at the hospital for the rest of the day, while police vehicles were parked outside. The building was reportedly closed to the public in the evening after the attack.

It is not yet known who the victims are, but it appears that hospital employees and patients were injured.

According to the forecaster, 1 to 2 cm of snow could fall in most areas, but some areas could see up to 5 cm of fall.

The Met Office has revealed all the areas of England that could receive 5cm of snow within a few hours.

The forecaster has issued several ‘snow and ice’ warnings for parts of the UK from tomorrow (January 1) until Sunday (January 4).

Parts of northern Scotland received warnings every day from Thursday to Sunday.

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However, on Friday 2 January, large areas of England and Wales will be under a yellow ‘snow and ice’ alert, including Birmingham and the West Midlands.

The Met Office says an “area of ​​snow sleet” is expected to move south-east across England and Wales that day.

The arrival of winter should see around 1 to 2 cm of snow fall in most regions.

However, some areas could see up to 5cm of snow falling, including those in north-west England and north Wales.

A Met Office spokesperson said: “An area of ​​sleet and snow is expected to move south-east across parts of England and Wales, lasting around two to three hours in one location.

“Where snow falls, 1 or 2cm is likely for some and perhaps up to 5cm of snow possible in a few places, particularly on the higher ground in North Wales and North West England.

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“Patches of ice will also develop quickly as the sleet and sleet dissipates.”