A pubs representative has urged people in Suffolk to "use it or lose it" as government data has revealed the number of pubs being demolished or converted for other uses has surged in the latest quarter.
Official government statistics revealed that the total number lost across England and Wales surged by more than 50% over the last quarter – with 230 pubs disappearing for good in the three months to June 30 as a result of soaring costs and pressure on consumer budgets.
The data, which was compiled by commercial real estate specialists at Altus Group, showed a 50.3% jump after 153 pubs vanished in the first quarter of 2023.
It means more than two pubs a day have left communities across the country over the first half of the year.
A range of Suffolk pubs, including The Cock Inn in Little Thurlow and The George in Cavendish, have closed so far in 2023 – although some have reopened under new landlords.
Martin Bate, East Anglia Representative for the Campaign for Pubs and pubs officer for the West Suffolk Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said: "The current cost-of-living crisis remains a huge challenge to many pubs and publicans across the UK with bills and prices continuing to rise at the same time as disposable income falling for many pub goers.
"The abject lack of proper protection for pubs in the planning system continues to see pubs up and down the country threatened through cynical asset-stripping as a result of owners/developers seeking to cash-in for development or conversion to alternative use.
"This is something the Campaign for Pubs has been highlighting and challenging at a national level.
"In addition, a role of West Suffolk CAMRA is to monitor all the pubs in our area, scrutinise any planning applications and oppose any that pose a threat to their continued existence."
Mr Bate said that while three pubs in west Suffolk have been lost to change of use since 2021, and despite ongoing challenges in the hospitality market, 12 pubs have either reopened or opened as new enterprises.
"We are currently tracking 14 pubs in the area which are closed and either for sale, to let, or with unclear plans for their future," he said.
"None of these 14 have ongoing planning applications for change of use. We continue to actively monitor these pubs and look out for any new challenges.
"There is no need for the people of west Suffolk to panic that they are about to lose their local pubs.
"However, we all need to remain involved with our local pubs and visit them when we can to help ensure their survival. As the age old mantra says, 'use it or lose it.'"
Alex Probyn, president of property tax at Altus Group, has called on Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to act in his autumn statement in November to ease the pressure of significant business rates on the sector.
Currently, firms which pay business rates – the property tax affecting high street firms – will see an inflation-linked increase come next April, unless there is Government intervention.
This is expected to add more than 6% to bills next year.
In August 2022, plans for the former Defiance Inn, in Stoke Street, Ipswich, to be converted into a two-bedroom flat and five-bedroom house for multiple occupancy were given the green light.
Plans to convert the Five Bells pub in Great Cornard, near Sudbury, into three homes were approved by Babergh District Council in May this year.
The application was submitted to the council in February after the pub closed down in September last year.
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