Fears UK pubs and bars could be forced to close as early as 8pm

People could see their local pub close as early as 8pm after facing challenging conditions.

It’s every Brit’s worst nightmare - an early ‘last orders’ at their local pub.

Most weekend nights can be seen with people flocking to their local to watch the football or just for a pint with their mates.

Considering this, it’s hard to imagine how these places are struggling to keep open.

However, some bars could face this harsh reality after experiencing challenging circumstances over the last few months.

Fábio Alves on Unsplash.

A poll of some British pubs found that 32% had already reduced their opening hours.

Emma McClarkin, who is in charge of the British Beer and Pub Association, explained: "They have been grappling with a multitude of challenges.

“The decision to reduce hours is not one pubs want to make.

“It is a survival strategy in an unsustainably tough environment."

The challenges are the result of the cost of living crisis, meaning that energy bills have skyrocketed.

Chairman of the Campaign for Real Ale Nik Antona told the Mirror: "Pubs are swimming upstream against challenges such as escalating costs of goods and employing staff, sky-high energy bills, the burden of unfair business rates and customers tightening their belts.

“Last orders at an earlier time is preferential to the pub closing its doors for good and the local community losing its central hub.

Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash.

“The fact that venues are being forced to make this decision should serve as a harsh wake-up call for the government to support UK pubs, lest we lose them forever.”

One pub owner spoke to Birmingham Live and said: “Sometimes I don't even feel like I am running a pub, because I believe a public house should be open seven days a week until at least 11pm.

“But it costs me way too much in terms of electricity and wages to keep the pub open when nobody is coming in as it just doesn't make financial sense.”

A second said: “We can't afford to pay staff to stand in an empty pub with the heating and lights on and no customers.

“If customers aren't in the pub by 8.30 or 9pm we have learned they don't arrive any later.”

So, this is your reminder to support your local pub - which is ironic because I doubt a lot of us need a reminder for that!