MORE than one in every four pubs across the south east are a greater than normal risk of pulling its last pints.

New figures from the region say that 26 per cent of pubs are at a higher risk of insolvency than a normal business.

Restructuring and insolvency trade body, R3, say that this figure has increased by more than four per cent between August and September alone.

There are now more than 1,700 breweries in Britain, with 36 in Hampshire.

Despite the number pumping pints and money into the economy, the percentage of pubs at risk of closing up is the biggest rise since August out of all 11 sectors monitored by R3, equating to 787 businesses.

Mike Pavitt, chairman of R3's Southern Committee said: "The pub sector has seen a number of challenges over recent years but ultimately its success requires consumers to have both disposable income and to be culturally disposed to going out rather than staying in.

"As with sectors which see stiff competition for consumer pounds, the businesses which thrive will be those which are best able to adapt to a changing marketplace.

"There is also the effect from people pre-loading, so a lot of people will now go out having already had their initial drinks at supermarket prices at home.

"Many pubs also rely at least in part upon EU migrant workers, and the continued uncertainty surrounding the Brexit negotiations will potentially result in a shortage of affordable labour to serve demand in the sector."

Independent voluntary consumer organisation CAMRA, the campaign for real ale, say the statistics come as "no surprise".

Regional director for Wessex, Sharon Broom, said: "Pubs have been under extraordinary pressure since the business rates revaluation came into force in April, and those across the south east have been hit particularly hard.

"On average, each pub is expected to pay nearly £140,000 in taxes each year, which makes up more than a third of a cost of a pub pint.

"This is quite frankly unsustainable, and leading to an unprecedented number of pub closures."

R3 said that they advise all business owners and directors to 'monitor finances carefully'.

It comes as The Grove Tavern in Woolston is to be turned into accommodation after the landlady of 24 years left, with other facilities seeing new publicans including the Bitterne Park Hotel.

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