HUNDREDS of pubs have closed in the first half of the year, according to new official figures.

Government statistics show the overall number of pubs in England and Wales, including those vacant and being offered to let, fell to 38,780, meaning 2,283 pubs have been lost since the start of 2020, with 209 pubs closing over the six months to June.

Valuation Office Agency data shows many of these have been demolished or converted into homes, offices or other uses such as day nurseries.

Many pubs have been hit by changes to discounts on business rates, the property tax affecting high-street businesses.

Hospitality businesses received a 60 per cent discount on their business rates bills up to a cap of £110,000, but this was cut to 25 per cent in April.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “This is a really sad pattern and unfortunately a lot of these pubs never come back. The government needs to act at the Budget, with major reforms to business rates and beer duty.”