ONE in eight pubs is on the brink of insolvency, research has found.
It comes even after they secured business rates support following The Sun’s Save Our Sups campaign.
Pubs are still struggling with Budget increases in National Insurance costs and the minimum wage, plus energy bills.
Research from accountants Price Bailey reveals 8,605 pubs now have negative assets and of these, 4,800 are in the highest category for credit risk.
It means 13 per cent of all pubs in Britain, about one in eight, are at risk of a winding-up petition.
The last three months of 2025 saw 181 pub insolvencies recorded.
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Matt Howard, from Price Bailey, said the industry is caught between “rising fixed costs and fragile consumer demand”.
He also pointed towards high inflation and tax pressures which affect hit disposable incomes.
Emma McClarkin, of the British Beer and Pub Association said: “With three out of four pubs now seeing a freeze or drop in their business rates bills, the government has put in place support which is much-needed and welcomed.
“However, pubs have historically faced punishing taxes and rates, which is why we’ll be working with government to to establish a long-term plan on permanent business rates reform and reducing regulatory burden so they can remain at the heart of communities.”
