A PINT down the pub is becoming “an unaffordable luxury” as the average price climbs closer to £5, campaigners warn.
Data shows a draught pint of lager has hit £4.77 — 21p more than last year.
The Campaign for Real Ale said that the figure — from the Office for National Statistics — showed customers will stop visiting pubs.
Chairman Nik Antona: said: “A pint of beer, cider or perry in your local could become an unaffordable luxury, as made evident by the latest ONS data.
“With the cost of a pint continuing to increase, consumers will soon struggle to support their local pubs, social clubs and tap rooms.
“Unfortunately, pubs have had no option but to raise their prices in order to survive, as the only alternative would be to close their doors forever.”
Mr Antona added: “Both the UK brewing and pub industries are in the throes of a perfect storm.
“The skyrocketing cost-of-business crisis, customers tightening their belts due to the cost of living, sky-high energy prices and unfair business rates are a brutal mix that threatens to be the death knell for many community venues.
It came as new data shows 784 pub businesses went bust in the past 12 months.
The number of insolvencies – including operators with multiple sites – has soared by almost a third in just one year.
Peter Kubik, at accountants UHY Hacker Young, which revealed the data, said: “Current alcohol prices mean more people are choosing to drink at home.”
