Llanelli, Neath and Swansea may be bucking the trend of pub closures according to new data.
To mark National Beer Day on 15 June, new research has ranked local areas by the number of pubs per 100,000 residents. The findings highlight the regions where you’re never far from your next pint and those where local boozers are few and far between.
While search data suggests Brits are still actively looking for places to enjoy a pint, long-term trends paint a sobering picture of the UK’s pub culture.
The number of pubs across the UK has dropped by 25.99% since 2000, down from 60,800 to just 45,000 in 2024. Today, there are roughly 65 pubs for every 100,000 people.
Meanwhile, the average cost of a draught pint has risen by 152.78%, climbing from £1.80 in 2000 to £4.55 in 2024.
Data shows Aberdare has the highest concentration of pubs in Wales, boasting 132.31 pubs per 100,000 residents. Close behind is Llanelli with 129.43 pubs per 100,000, followed by Merthyr Tydfil at 110.05 – proving these cities are hotspots for pub culture.
| No. of Pubs per 100,000 people (Wales) | ||
| City (BUA) | Pub density per 100,000 residents | |
| 1 | Aberdare | 132.31 |
| 2 | Llanelli | 129.43 |
| 3 | Merthyr Tydfil | 110.05 |
| 4 | Rhyl | 84.71 |
| 5 | Pontypool | 83.60 |
| 6 | Swansea | 81.78 |
| 7 | Neath | 63.83 |
| 8 | Wrexham | 63.55 |
| 9 | Pontypridd | 58.14 |
| 10 | Newport | 58.03 |
Aberdare and Llanelli also make the England and Wales combined top 10, coming in at seventh and eighth place respectively.
Great Yarmouth tops the list as the most pub-dense location in England and Wales, boasting 242 pubs per 100,000 residents. The City of Westminster takes second place with 166 pubs per 100,000, followed by Whitehaven in Cumbria with 143.
| own/City (BUA) | No. of Pubs | Pub density per 100,000 residents | |
| 1 | Great Yarmouth | 70 | 242.07 |
| 2 | City of Westminster | 350 | 166.31 |
| 3 | Whitehaven | 33 | 142.65 |
| 4 | Ripley (Amber Valley) | 28 | 137.44 |
| 5 | Failsworth | 27 | 134.56 |
| 6 | Brierley Hill | 43 | 132.63 |
| 7 | Aberdare | 50 | 132.31 |
| 8 | Llanelli | 55 | 129.43 |
| 9 | Ashton-under-Lyne | 60 | 122.70 |
| 10 | Stamford | 24 | 116.31 |
“The data highlights how smaller towns, not just major cities, are keeping pub culture alive,” said Sue Dawson, Operations Director at Best New Bingo Sites who were behind the research. “Great Yarmouth’s top spot shows just how strong the local scene can be in coastal communities.”
“These figures suggest that interest in finding a good pub isn’t just a big city trend. People across the country are actively seeking out places to socialise, showing the ongoing importance of local pubs.
“Pubs are more than just places to grab a pint, they’re part of the social fabric of the UK. From quiet corners to lively locals, they’ve always offered a space to unwind, connect and feel part of something. Even as numbers decline, the appetite for that kind of community is still strong, whether it’s found down the road or through the screen.”
