Most London voters blame the government for pub closures – study
Brixton has been hit particularly hard by pub, bar and club closures, and new research has revealed that London voters are likely to blame the Government when their local closes, …
Black News 
Brixton has been hit particularly hard by pub, bar and club closures, and new research has revealed that London voters are likely to blame the Government when their local closes,
[The Dogstar has been empty since October 2024]
The survey, conducted by the Long Live the Local campaign and More in Common, found that 54% of the Greater London public blames either national or local government when a pub closes.
With local elections approaching, campaigners insist this must act as a wake-up call for politicians to put the sector first.
When asked what would save the pubs, the plurality of voters (29%) said that making business rates fair for pubs would be the best decision.
Despite the strong feelings voters in London have for their local pub, few felt that their local MP was sufficiently engaged on the issue.
These results come despite January’s Budget U-turn for pubs, showing that many voters believe not enough is being done to protect Britain’s locals.
One pub a day currently closes in England and Wales, and the UK has lost 2,000 pubs since 2020, according to figures from the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA).
Of those surveyed, 31% said that their MP had not spoken up for the sector, whilst just 12% said that their MP had done enough to support pubs in their constituency.
[Brixton’s Canterbury Arms being demolished in Feb 2016. The site remains undeveloped]
Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, said:
“Despite recent important support from the Government and the many MPs across all political parties that champion pubs and brewers, voters clearly believe that there is still more to be done.
“Pubs are the soul of the community, create jobs, and, with a quarter of a million people joining our Long Live the Local campaign that supports the people behind the pint, including thousands of Londoners, it’s no wonder people care about them so much.
“What the public want is a fair tax system for pubs, one that keeps business competitive and recognises their unique role as valuable spaces for communities across the country.
“With the local elections right around the corner, it’s key for candidates to recognise just how important pubs are for so many and to back their local.
“We’re calling on the Government to continue to work with us and deliver permanent business rates reform, lower employment costs, cut beer duty and VAT to save countless locals who are burdened with huge regulatory costs.”
Luke Tryl, Executive Director at More in Common, said:
“One thing comes through really strongly in this polling, the British public really care about pubs, they think they are a central part of their community and they don’t think the Government is doing enough to protect them.
“In fact, over half of British voters blame national or local government for pub closures and want to see politicians at all levels doing more to stand up for them.
At a time when the Government already finds itself struggling with a restless electorate a wave of further pub closures will only reinforce the frustration that those in charge are unable or unwilling to deliver for local communities across Britain.
“On the flipside taking action on issues like rates is one way the Government can show that it gets it, recognises the value of pubs and gets the public back onside.”
Background
The British Beer and Pub Association’s Long Live the Local campaign launched in 2018 to raise awareness of the UK’s alarming rate of pub closures.
Currently standing at over 250,000 supporters from all over the country, the campaign encourages people to support the people behind the pint.
The campaign has helped to bring the issues that pubs face to the top of the political agenda, with almost 40,000 letters to MPs sent last year alone.
More in Common’s polling Public opinion on pub closures, commissioned by the British Beer and Pub Association was conducted between 28-30 March 2026 and sampled 2,003 GB adults.
Respondents have been weighted according to age/sex interlocked, region, ethnicity, 2024 General Election vote, and education level.
More in Common is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.
