How East Anglia's pub industry has launched a fight back

But the last decade has seen a shift in drinking habits, with growing numbers opting to drink at home rather than heading to their local - or choosing to not drink at all. 

Covid then sent a hammer blow throughout the industry and, just as landlords thought the worst was over, the cost of living crisis sent prices soaring. 

Last month, analysis of official government data by the commercial real estate specialist Altus Group found more than 150 pubs have disappeared for good from English and Welsh communities over the first three months of 2023, representing a 60pc jump on levels from last year.

The number includes several in East Anglia.

Trade bodies have joined forces to warn that more venues will shut for good if cost pressures do not ease soon.

Pub industry has seen costs soar (Image: PA)

In a joint statement, the organisations said: “The energy crisis has been pushing pubs, bars and restaurants to breaking point for a year now.

“The Energy Bill Relief Scheme provided a short respite but with that falling away last month businesses are back to paying high costs, with no end in sight for the thousands locked into contracts who will be obligated to pay extortionate rates well into next year.

“Put simply, this data is extremely worrying for thousands of otherwise viable hospitality businesses.

“No profits means nothing to invest back into businesses, no cash reserves means nothing to fall back on, and businesses being forced to close means important, irreplaceable assets being lost from local communities and economies across the country forever.

“The government must recognise this crisis isn’t just crippling businesses now.

“Left unresolved it will have a lasting wider impact long into the future, impacting local employment, supply chains and removing essential community hubs from villages, towns and cities across the whole of the UK.”

Locally, landlords have been working on finding ways to attract more customers into their pubs. 

In Norwich, it is hoped the city-wide beer festival - City of Ale - will boost trade. 

Philip Cutter the landlord at The Murderers & Gardeners Arms in Norwich (Image: Newsquest)

Phil Cutter, landlord of city centre pub The Murderers and co-founder of City of Ale said he hoped people would use the event to get back into their favourite pubs. 

He said: "We need to get people re-engaged with pubs. It's not enough anymore to expect people to just come out for a drink, we need to give them a reason to come out. 

"It's also about encouraging people to go into new ones and showcase our fantastic pub scene to beer tourists who come in from outside the city. 

"Many people still haven't come back from Covid and we want to open up to as many people as possible, so this year we created a trail for lonely people who don't have anyone to go around with, leaving no one left out. 

"Money is tight. It's never been more important to support these businesses, most of which are family run."

Along with pubs, the region has a large brewery industry that has also been affected by Covid and the cost of living crisis. 

John Smith, sales manager of Attleborough-based Wolf Brewery, said: "The cost of materials is going up, the cost of CO2 gas has gone through the roof and put humongous pressure on and energy is soaring as well. 

"We have to save without compromising on quality and it's a fine line. 

"But we're still up on last year, so things are going well. Younger people are starting to turn to real ale and Camra [campaign for real ale] have really been massive in helping to turn things around for the industry."