Welsh pubs fight back against closures as numbers grow in 2026

The number of pubs in Wales has grown so far this year – bucking the trend of UK-wide closures over the past few years.

It is a “much-needed ray of light” for the beleaguered industry, according to the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

While only modest, the number in Wales is up by three since January, while Scotland has lost 41, and the south-east of England has lost 26 in the same period.

A senior lecturer in economics at Bangor University said we are seeing a “major shift” in what pubs are to customers, and they will need to adapt to survive.

For the Instagram generation, some young people suggested the “aesthetics” of a pub are more important than drinks offered, for posting photos online.

“The night time trade is dying, but it [still] makes a lot of money. There are a lot of spirit drinkers,” said landlady Abbie Nelson.

“In the day, a lot of customers are pint drinkers, so the revenue is completely different.”

While she realised it was a difficult time to start in the industry, she was up for the challenge, and opened the doors of The Nelson in May.

A previous pub on the site in Rhyl, Denbighshire, had focused on night-time trade.

But Abbie, 30, said she recognised the way the industry was going, with many people turning their backs on clubbing and late-night revelry.

Her venue has a family-friendly focus, and she added: “Now we do barbecues, free food, we have entertainment on,” she said.

“You find that a lot of places that used to be a nightclub, and now they’ve turned into a day venue as well.”