TWENTY-SIX pubs closed a week across the UK in the last six months, according to the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

CAMRA’s latest statistics for the period between September 2012 and March have been released and show an increase in pub closures from an average of 18 a week earlier in 2012.

The statistics show that the Government’s cut in beer duty and scrapping of the beer duty escalator in this year’s budget could not have come at a better time, CAMRA said.

CAMRA chief executive, Mike Benner said: “We believe that the scrapping of the beer duty escalator and the extra 1p off beer duty announced in this year’s budget could mark a turning point for pubs.

“With a better deal on beer tax, the Government’s plans for pub company reform and the ‘List Your Local’ scheme, announced during CAMRA’s Community Pubs Month, we are hopeful that the fortunes of Britain’s pubs are set to change .”     

CAMRA is encouraging people to get their local categorised as an Asset of Community Value which, it said, should give communities more power to prevent profitable local pubs being sold by pub companies.

Go to camra.org.uk/listyourlocal.