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| UK 'is losing 52 pubs each week' | UK 'is losing 52 pubs each week' |
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| UK pubs closed at a rate of 52 per week in the first half of the year - a third more than the same period in 2008 - the British Beer & Pub Association said. | UK pubs closed at a rate of 52 per week in the first half of the year - a third more than the same period in 2008 - the British Beer & Pub Association said. |
| Local pubs were the most vulnerable as communities were hit by the fallout of the economic downturn, it added. | Local pubs were the most vulnerable as communities were hit by the fallout of the economic downturn, it added. |
| The research suggested businesses that provided food were far more resilient to the recession. | |
| And branded pubs and cafe-style bars were opening at a rate of two a week, according to the report. | And branded pubs and cafe-style bars were opening at a rate of two a week, according to the report. |
| "Pubs are already diversifying, but unfortunately if you are a community pub, you can't transform yourself into a trendy town-centre bar," said an association spokesman. | "Pubs are already diversifying, but unfortunately if you are a community pub, you can't transform yourself into a trendy town-centre bar," said an association spokesman. |
| "The biggest impact is the recession. There are fewer people out and fewer people spending money in pubs and bars, regardless of where they are," he said. | "The biggest impact is the recession. There are fewer people out and fewer people spending money in pubs and bars, regardless of where they are," he said. |
| Job losses | Job losses |
| The rate of closures was the fastest since the number of UK pubs began being tracked, in 1990. | The rate of closures was the fastest since the number of UK pubs began being tracked, in 1990. |
| The number of pubs has dropped by 2,377 in the past year, to a total of 53,466. | The number of pubs has dropped by 2,377 in the past year, to a total of 53,466. |
| The association's chief executive, David Long, said that the economic pressures of the recession had been added to by the smoking ban, tax rises on alcohol and "regulatory burdens". | The association's chief executive, David Long, said that the economic pressures of the recession had been added to by the smoking ban, tax rises on alcohol and "regulatory burdens". |
| Pub closures had cost 24,000 jobs, he added. | Pub closures had cost 24,000 jobs, he added. |
| "Government should look at valuing and rewarding pubs as community assets," Mr Long said. | "Government should look at valuing and rewarding pubs as community assets," Mr Long said. |
| "Not only would this have social policy benefits, by supporting a hub of community cohesion, but financial policy benefits in terms of tax revenues, particularly at a time when the public purse is stretched." | "Not only would this have social policy benefits, by supporting a hub of community cohesion, but financial policy benefits in terms of tax revenues, particularly at a time when the public purse is stretched." |
| A number of pub firms have said that they have been offering financial support for tenants, in an effort to enable them to stay open. | A number of pub firms have said that they have been offering financial support for tenants, in an effort to enable them to stay open. |
| Last month, pub and brewing company Marston's said it wanted to raise £176m in a rights issue. Most of the funds would be earmarked for buying land and developing pubs in densely populated areas, with a focus on food. | Last month, pub and brewing company Marston's said it wanted to raise £176m in a rights issue. Most of the funds would be earmarked for buying land and developing pubs in densely populated areas, with a focus on food. |
| Do you work in the pub industry? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Do you work in the pub industry? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |
| Do you have any pictures of pubs that have closed down in your area? You can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. | |
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