17th January, 2020

UK Pub Sector expands for first time since 2009

Since 2009 pubs across the UK have been closing at a rate of around 700 per year.

However in 2019 this decline abruptly stopped.

Latest figures however from the National Statistics (ONS) show in 2019 an annual net gain of 320 pubs across the UK.

So is there a local rise in the popularity of pub ownership?

Licensed Trade Specialist, Paul Collins of Miller Commercial’s Business Transfer Department thinks there is:

“The interest in Licensed premises that we saw in 2019, has continued into 2020, which very much supports the figures from the ONS.  Miller Commercial Sold and Let a number of pubs and bars in 2019 to a mix of both experienced hospitality professionals and first time entrants to the trade.  In each transaction it was apparent to me that the new owners / operators are looking to refocus these venues as the social hub within their given communities, be this a traditional village Inn or town centre venue.



One of the most important aspects to the success of many of these ventures is the need to embrace rapidly changing dining habits with the growth in Veganism, Gluten Free dining and of course the desire for customers to understand the provenance of their food.”

“We have recently been instructed to manage the portfolio of Keltek Cornish Brewery who have several pubs within the county and on each occasion that we have advertised the availability of one of these pubs to lease we have been very pleasantly surprised at the volume of enquiries we have received.  Indeed, it would be fair to say that the demand for pubs on both a freehold and leasehold basis is at it’s highest level for several years”



For advice on buying or selling a pub you can reach Paul Collins on 07841 4230858 or via pc@miller-commercial.co.uk