Data last verified: 13 November 2026. Figures re-checked against their primary sources under the Whito rolling re-verification programme.
Finding
The number of UK pub and bar businesses fell 17.1% between 2010 and 2026, from 36,110 to 29,925, but has barely moved since 2021 (29,865).
Source: Whito, whito.co.uk/pubs/uk-pub-industry, 2026-11-13. Free to quote with a link to this page.
Last Updated on November 13, 2026
Read a short summary
General summary
The UK had 29,925 pub and bar businesses registered for VAT or PAYE in March 2026, according to the Office for National Statistics. That is 17.1% down on 2010 (36,110) and 0.2% up on 2021 (29,865). 66.1% employ fewer than ten people. South West has the most per head, 55.8 per 100,000 residents. London has the fewest, 25.8.
Bullet points
- 29,925 UK pub and bar businesses in March 2026 (ONS).
- Compared with 2010: 17.1% down on 2010 (36,110).
- Compared with 2021: 0.2% up on 2021 (29,865).
- 66.1% employ fewer than ten people.
- Most per head: South West, 55.8 per 100,000 residents. Fewest: London, 25.8.
Basic explainer
A pub business is a company or person that runs one or more pubs or bars. This page counts how many there are in the UK, using official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). It shows how the number has changed since 2010, how big the businesses are and where they are based. A business that runs several pubs is counted once, so this is not a count of pubs. A business is counted where it is registered, which is not always where it trades.
These summaries were written with AI from this page only. The full page below is the record.
Short answer: the UK had 29,925 pub and bar businesses registered for VAT or PAYE in March 2026, according to the Office for National Statistics. That is 17.1% down on 2010 (36,110) and 0.2% up on 2021 (29,865). 66.1% employ fewer than ten people. South West has the most per head, 55.8 per 100,000 residents; London has the fewest, 25.8.
This page uses official counts you can rerun yourself, the rules that apply, and Whito’s published research. The regional and change figures are Whito’s calculations. A business that runs several pubs is counted once, so this is a count of pub businesses, not of pubs.
The key figures
| Figure | Value | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Pub and bar businesses (UK, SIC 56302) | 29,925 | ONS UK Business Counts, March 2026 (official statistic) |
| Change since 2010 | -17.1% (from 36,110) | Same dataset (Whito calculation) |
| Change since 2021 | +0.2% (from 29,865) | Same dataset (Whito calculation) |
| Fewer than 10 employees | 19,780 (66.1%) | Same dataset |
| 250 or more employees | 50 | Same dataset |
| Most per head | South West, 55.8 per 100,000 residents | Whito calculation, ONS data |
| Fewest per head | London, 25.8 per 100,000 residents | Whito calculation, ONS data |
The count year by year
| Year | Businesses (UK) |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 36,110 |
| 2011 | 34,830 |
| 2012 | 34,320 |
| 2013 | 32,725 |
| 2014 | 32,375 |
| 2015 | 32,160 |
| 2016 | 31,345 |
| 2017 | 30,710 |
| 2018 | 30,545 |
| 2019 | 30,885 |
| 2020 | 30,720 |
| 2021 | 29,865 |
| 2022 | 30,325 |
| 2023 | 30,180 |
| 2024 | 29,845 |
| 2025 | 29,940 |
| 2026 | 29,925 |
The highest count in this period was 36,110 in 2010. The lowest was 29,845 in 2024. Each count is a snapshot taken in March of that year.
How big are pub businesses?
| Employees | Businesses | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 9 | 19,780 | 66.1% |
| 10 to 49 | 9,655 | 32.3% |
| 50 to 249 | 440 | 1.5% |
| 250 or more | 50 | 0.2% |
| Total | 29,925 |
Source: ONS UK Business Counts, enterprises, SIC 2007 code 56302 “Public houses and bars”, 2026, via Nomis (dataset NM_142_1). Counts are rounded to the nearest 5, so bands may not add exactly to the total.
Where pub businesses are based
| Region or nation | 2010 | 2021 | 2026 | Per 100,000 residents | Change 2010 to 2026 | Change 2021 to 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South West | 4,170 | 3,395 | 3,295 | 55.8 | -21.0% | -2.9% |
| Wales | 2,350 | 1,770 | 1,720 | 54.2 | -26.8% | -2.8% |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 3,335 | 2,935 | 3,025 | 53.3 | -9.3% | +3.1% |
| East Midlands | 3,140 | 2,570 | 2,540 | 49.9 | -19.1% | -1.2% |
| North East | 1,435 | 1,335 | 1,365 | 49.4 | -4.9% | +2.2% |
| North West | 4,130 | 3,480 | 3,615 | 46.5 | -12.5% | +3.9% |
| West Midlands | 3,220 | 2,675 | 2,670 | 43.0 | -17.1% | -0.2% |
| South East | 4,970 | 3,955 | 3,915 | 40.4 | -21.2% | -1.0% |
| East of England | 3,355 | 2,705 | 2,650 | 40.1 | -21.0% | -2.0% |
| Scotland | 2,700 | 2,120 | 2,075 | 37.4 | -23.1% | -2.1% |
| Northern Ireland | 865 | 705 | 700 | 36.3 | -19.1% | -0.7% |
| London | 2,440 | 2,225 | 2,355 | 25.8 | -3.5% | +5.8% |
| United Kingdom | 36,110 | 29,865 | 29,925 | 43.1 | -17.1% | +0.2% |
Population: ONS mid-2025 estimates. Per-head and change figures are Whito calculations. A business is counted once, where it is registered, which is not always where it works.
What stands out
- South West has about 2.2 times as many per head as London (55.8 against 25.8 per 100,000 residents).
- Biggest fall since 2010: Wales (-26.8%). Smallest fall: London (-3.5%).
- 4 of the 12 regions and nations have more businesses than in 2021. 8 have fewer.
- The data cannot say why counts rise or fall. New firms, firms crossing the VAT threshold, mergers, closures and businesses registering elsewhere all move the count.
Rules that apply
In England and Wales, a business that sells alcohol on a permanent basis needs a premises licence. The local licensing authority grants it, and that is usually the local council.
Premises licensed to sell alcohol must have a designated premises supervisor. That is a named person who holds a personal licence. Staff do not need a personal licence to work in a pub, but anyone selling alcohol without one must be authorised by someone who holds one.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own licensing systems. Source: GOV.UK alcohol licensing guidance, last updated 8 August 2025.
What Whito’s research adds
Whito’s other pub pages cover marketing: UK Pub Marketing Costs 2026: What to Spend and Where, UK Pub Marketing in Numbers: 2026 Data Report. This page adds the official business counts, by size, by region and by year.
What we do not know yet
- How many people work in the industry. This page counts businesses, not workers.
- The smallest sole traders. Businesses that are neither VAT registered nor employers are not in the ONS count.
- Turnover. We only publish figures we can check at source.
- How many pubs there are. One business can run many pubs. This page does not count premises.
Method and limits
- Business counts: ONS UK Business Counts, enterprises, SIC 2007 code 56302, all legal statuses, March snapshots for 2010 to 2026, via the Nomis API (dataset NM_142_1), read 13 November 2026.
- Population: ONS mid-2025 estimates via Nomis (NM_2002_1).
- Counts are rounded to the nearest 5 by ONS. Business counts are March 2026; population is mid-2025.
Compare with other industries: see UK trade businesses in 2026: ten industries compared, one table with each count, its date and the change since 2010 and 2021.
Compare with other industries: see how pubs and bars compare with eleven other UK industries by number of businesses, growth since 2010 and business size, in one table: UK industries compared 2026.
Common questions
How many pub businesses are there in the UK?
29,925 registered for VAT or PAYE in March 2026, according to the ONS (SIC 56302). A business that runs several pubs is counted once.
Is the number of pub businesses growing?
It rose 0.2% between 2021 and 2026 and fell 17.1% since 2010 (Whito calculation from ONS data).
Which part of the UK has the most pub businesses?
By number, South East (3,915). Per head, South West, with 55.8 per 100,000 residents.
Are most pub businesses small?
Yes. 19,780 of 29,925 (66.1%) employ fewer than ten people.
Sources (opened 13 November 2026)
- ONS UK Business Counts via Nomis, NM_142_1: https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/api/v01/dataset/NM_142_1
- ONS mid-2025 population estimates via Nomis, NM_2002_1
- GOV.UK, Alcohol licensing (last updated 8 August 2025): https://www.gov.uk/alcohol-licensing
