2025 has been a rough year for the industry
(L-R) Ben Dossett and Chris Williams of The Rose and Crown(Image: The Rose and Crown)
Landlords around Bristol say it is more important than ever to support your local boozer, as the industry faces perhaps its most perilous period in modern history. The city has lost several watering holes this year, with The Miners Arms in St Werburghs among the most recent.
The Miners shut its doors in August, after enduring what its owners described as their most difficult period in 23 years of trading.
That scene has played out across the country at a shocking rate in 2025. The British Beer and Pub Association estimates that 378 pubs will close down in the UK this year, equivalent to more than one a day.
“It’s the most challenging it’s ever been,” according to Marc Griffiths, who runs three pubs in central Bristol – The Colosseum in Redcliffe, Mothers Ruin on St Nicholas Street and The Crown in St Nicholas Market, along with the new Greyhound in Fishponds.
Marc Griffiths runs a number of pubs in Bristol, including the new Greyhound (pictured prior to its opening)(Image: Marc Griffiths)
“I know that every generation will say that… but (if you) go back to when I started in pubs in the early 90s, you could quite happily have a pub that would exist on quite modest trade … and be really quite profitable because wage costs were less, rent was less, beer was less, just everything was less.”
Mr Griffiths said the lowering of the threshold upon which employers had to pay staff National Insurance contributions was a painful blow, given how many part-time workers existed in the sector. His sentiments were echoed by many other landlords across Bristol.
Chris Williams, who together with business partner Ben Dossett, transformed a dilapidated site on Two Mile Hill Road into beloved local The Rose and Crown, said pubs were forced to put up their prices just to stay afloat.
“With rising costs of stock, taxes and staffing, the margins of hospitality businesses get tighter and tighter every year, and although the prices go up for you, we continue to swallow more than we pass on,” he said.
(L-R) Ben Dossett and Chris Williams of The Rose and Crown(Image: The Rose and Crown)
“Many of us stay in the industry because of the wonderful people we meet each day in our venues, whether they’re here for a natter, or a birthday or to commiserate bad news – after all, we aren’t here to sell you a pint, we’re here to make memories alongside you.
“Without your support, local pubs won’t exist forever, we’ve already seen them close at record rates through the last few years. Let’s keep this vital part of British culture alive together.”
We’re on the search for Bristol’s pub of the year in 2025(Image: Getty)
Bristol Live has been surveying the mood among the owners of a selection of the city’s most cherished boozers as part of the Pub of the Year campaign.
Cast your Pub of the Year vote HERE
Alex King, the general manager of The Sugar Loaf in Easton, provided a stark warning of what the city will lose if pubs continue to close.
Alex King and Joe Chicken are part of the management team at The Sugar Loaf in Easton(Image: The Sugar Loaf)
“Pubs are for the people, it’s a safe space for people, it’s escapism, it’s therapy, it’s where relationships are formed and where ideas are created,” he said. “Without it, British culture is left with a huge void.
“It’s vital for people to support their locals to allow all the beautiful pubs to continue to flourish.” Take a look at our shortlist of Bristol’s 50 best pubs as recommended by readers, and cast your vote as we look to crown the city’s favourite.