大象传媒

The number of pubs in England and Wales has hit its lowest level on record this year, with just under 40,000 open pubs in June - down by 7,000 in the past decade.

According to research by real estate consultancy Altus Group, the East of England saw the second biggest number of pub closures in the first six months of 2022, with 24 shutting.

It's down to soaring prices and higher energy costs, and pubs struggling through the pandemic.

大象传媒 Essex speaks to Lisa Robertson who runs The Prettygate in Colchester, Piers Baker who reopened the White Hart Inn at West Mersea earlier in 2022, and Tony Sophoclides, Director of Strategic Affairs at UK Hospitality.