Quarter of pubs closed its doors over the past 25 years: is English pub culture doomed?

Press/Media: Expert comment

Period18 Feb 2026

Media coverage

1

Media coverage

  • TitleQuarter of pubs closed its doors over the past 25 years: is English pub culture doomed?
    Degree of recognitionNational
    Media name/outletVRT (Flemish public broadcaster)
    Media typeTelevision
    Country/TerritoryBelgium
    Date18/02/26
    DescriptionThe UK is world famous for Shakespeare, the royal family, Wimbledon and undoubtedly also for the typical English pub. But that pub culture is disappearing. According to a study by the University of Manchester, over the past 25 years, about one in four pubs closed, 15,000 in total. The government has now announced support measures. Whether that is enough to prevent even more closures, that is questioned.
    URLhttps://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/kijk/2026/02/18/video-britse-pubcultuur-verdwijnt/
    PersonsSotirios Thanos, Jonathan Wood