There has been a steady decrease in the capital’s pubs over the years at a staggering 27% reduction since 2001 which alarmed the Mayor of London to planning an increase in protections. Smaller pubs have been disappearing in the last 17 years, whilst the number of larger pubs has increased.
The figures show that 1 pub has been closing per week. There are just 3,500 working pubs in London.
It’s believed by City Hall that the demolition of pubs has been the most common reason for pub closures in London.
This drastic decline had led to four boroughs; Barking and Dagenham, Newham, Waltham Forest and Croydon all having seen the number of pubs halve. The one exception is Hackney, a trendy patch in the east, where there has been an increase in the number of pubs over the years.
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “The traditional London pub has been at the heart of London’s communities for hundreds of years, but sadly they continue to face a long-term decline in numbers.”
“As Mayor, I have made safeguarding and growing London’s night-time economy a priority, and am doing all I can to protect the capital’s iconic pubs.”
Regardless of the closures pub employment has progressively increased – due to an outburst in larger pub openings.