Microbrewery surge halts decline in London pub numbers

Saved: owner Pauline Forster at the George Tavern in Stepney, which was given a deed of easement this year to remain as a pub and music venue
Alex Lentati
Ben Morgan29 August 2019

A surge in microbreweries has stopped the decline in the number of pubs in London, although the traditional sort remains under threat.

The total stabilised at 3,540 pubs across 32 boroughs last year — 10 more than in 2017, according to figures released by City Hall.

It follows a decline in pub numbers by more than a quarter since 2001.

The new figures show that about a third of boroughs saw an increase in pub numbers last year, while 13 saw a net loss and in nine the total remained unchanged.

Lewisham reported the largest increase with 20 pubs opening last year, while Kensington and Chelsea and Richmond lost 10 each.

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Campaign for Real Ale regional secretary Roy Tunstall said: “We are still losing traditional pubs but we are gaining more modern-style bars.

“A lot of pubs are being replaced by the new microbreweries and we broadly welcome these new establishments.”

In recent years, there have been a series of successful campaigns to save cherished traditional pubs from the threat of high rents and property developments.

The George Tavern, in Commercial Road, Stepney, was this year granted a deed of easement protecting it as a pub and music venue from noise complaints following a longstanding campaign to save it from development by regulars, backed by celebrities including Kate Moss and Grace Jones.

Mayor Sadiq Khan said of the new figures: “I’m encouraged by these results, but with pressure from rates, rent and development, it’s crucial that the Government and local authorities give pubs their full support too.”

Pubs employ 46,000 people across the capital but 71 per cent of staff are not paid the London Living Wage, the City Hall report found.

London has 1,845 large pubs with more than 10 employees compared with 1,690 small establishments across the city. Westminster has 430 pubs, the largest number of any borough in the capital and almost double the 220 in second-ranked Camden.

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