Last orders? England's number of pubs hits historic low

The number of pubs in England and Wales has fallen to below 40,000, according to a recent analysis by a property consultants group, 7,000 fewer than a decade ago. Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire/dpa

More and more pubs in England are ringing their bells for last orders – not just for one night, but for their last round of drinks ever.

The number of pubs in England and Wales has fallen to below 40,000 – 39,973 to be exact – according to a July analysis by property consultants Altus Group. That's 7,000 fewer than a decade ago, it said, and more importantly, fewer pubs than ever before.