EIGHT pubs are closing down every week in Britain amid crippling running costs and tax hikes, figures show.
Boozer bosses have blamed Labour policies for the “heartbreaking” rate of closures.
Government figures show 209 pubs were shut in the first half of the year.
That brings the total number of pubs calling a permanent last orders in the past five years to 2,283.
Industry chiefs said the employer National Insurance rise and increasing staff costs were responsible.
Hospitality venues have also seen their business rates discount slashed, which has saddled the sector with an extra £215million of tax.
Supported by The Sun’s Save Our Sups campaign, pub bosses are asking Chancellor Rachel Reeves for relief in the autumn Budget.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said the Government needs to act quickly to stop more closures.
She said: “Unfortunately, a lot of these pubs never come back. It’s absolutely heartbreaking.
“There is a direct link between pubs closing for good and the huge jump in costs they have just endured. Pubs and brewers are important employers and are really valuable to local communities across the country.
“They have real social value. The Government needs to act at the Budget, with major reforms to business rates and beer duty.”
Alex Probyn, practice leader at tax services firm Ryan, warned the squeeze on pubs is intensifying.
He said: “Slashing business rates relief for pubs from 75 per cent to 40 this year has landed the sector with an extra £215million in tax bills.
“For a small pub, that’s a leap in the average bill from £3,938 to £9,451.
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