The East Midlands has been branded the nation's 'misery hotspot' after 69 pubs closed in the region over the past 12 months, according to new data from global tax firm Ryan. A total of 366 pubs shut their doors across the UK in 2025, leaving just 38,623 public houses nationwide — a sharp decline since 2021.
Regional Breakdown of Closures
The West Midlands saw 34 pubs close, while Yorkshire and the Humber and the South West each lost 36 venues. The East of England and Wales both recorded 28 closures, and London and the South East each saw 32 establishments shut down. The North East fared best, with only 19 closures over the year.
Permanent Loss of Pubs
Alex Probyn, practice leader at Ryan, told The Morning Advertiser: 'These pubs have closed permanently, not temporarily. The buildings have been demolished or converted into housing, offices, nurseries, cafes or other uses. Once repurposed, they almost never return to pub use.'
In a separate development, Beefeater and Brewers Fayre announced the closure of all 197 of their pub restaurants, resulting in 3,800 job losses across the UK and Ireland. Their owner, Whitbread, reported a 19% fall in profits to £298 million.
