WORCESTER has lost five of its pubs since 2010, according to official figures.

The figures - a drop from 80 pubs and bars to 75 today - were revealed as part of national data, which shows 5,745 pubs closed in the same period across the UK.

Nationally, 655 pubs and bars closed, or were converted, between 2016 and 2017 as the industry suffers with cost pressures.

However, in Worcester the number of pubs and bars was unchanged last year - showing that the city is bucking the trend - according to the data from the Office for National Statistics.

Those that closed were: The Coppertops, in Oldbury Road, Worcester in January 2017, The Lakes in Ambleside Drive, Warndon, in August 2014, The Mayflower, in Grenville Road, in January 2012 and The Arboretum Inn in Northfield Street in 2010.

The Vauxhall Inn, in Astwood Road closed in 2010 and is now used as a Balti house, Balti Mahal and pizza parlour, Primo Pizza.

Bill Ottaway, spokesman for the Worcester branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said it had seen an increase in memberships locally and the Worcester branch now has 695 members.

Mr Ottaway said: “Worcester hasn’t done at all bad comparing to the rest of the country. It is doing better than most.

“Dines Green is an area which stands out for me and is known for their pubs closing.

"It seems to be deserted and has now been replaced by housing estates.

"It’s a shame, there is no community there and it means residents must travel some distance to get to the pub.

“Pubs now need to be to be diverse and should consider other ways to survive.

"The Toby Tavern pub in Sansome Street used to be an eye sore. Now it is an extension of the burger shop, Hanbao.

“It is a shame to lose the historical buildings with the unique architectural style. However, these new developments come and bring more opportunities to the city which then brings in money.”

Some pubs have blamed the taxman for their demise, having complaints about the duty on beer, VAT levels and the cost of business rates.

Britain's Beer Alliance, a group of organisations in the pub and brewing sector, has started a campaign called Long Live the Local with a petition and calls for people to write to their MP to have beer duty reduced.

A change in consumer habits, with people drinking at home more often, has also been blamed for fewer people visiting pubs.

On average, three local pubs in Great Britain close per day, according to data collected by analyst CGA in a study backed by the British Beer and Pub Association.

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “Pubs have responded to changing drinking habits with a more diverse offering. Pubs now serve one billion meals a year and are at the forefront of modern British cooking.”

Worcester City Council runs a business grants programme for local pubs.

Successful applicants may be offered a grant of between £1,000 and £3,000, which must be match-funded from the business's own resources.

For more information, visit: worcester.gov.uk/business-growth-grant

City's lost pubs

The Coppertops, in Oldbury Road, Worcester closed in January 2017. It opened in 1969 and was the last pub left in Dines Green. Landlords had struggled to cover costs and compete with supermarket alcohol sales.

The Mayflower in Grenville Road closed in January 2012. The pub had been at the heart of the estate since it opened in 1959. A company called Aqueo Investments bought the Mayflower in April 2009 for £250,000. The Mayflower’s title deeds show that Worcester Community Housing (WCH) has bought an option to develop the site.

The Arboretum Inn in Northfield Street closed in 2010. Developer Unique Housing was given approval to convert the Arboretum Inn in Northfield Street, Arboretum, into five self-contained flats.

The Lakes in Ambleside Drive, Warndon closed in August 2014 and was promptly boarded up. The Midcounties Co-operative has taken over the former pub in Ambleside.

Vauxhall Inn, in Astwood Road closed in 2010, and is now used as a Balti house called Balti Mahal and pizza parlour, known as Primo Pizza.

Deers Leap, in Droitwich Road closed in 2010, after a controversial planning application was approved to demolish the pub and replace it with a large GP medical centre. It cost around £3.5 million and includes a pharmacy.

The Drakes Drum, which once stood at the heart of Dines Green, closed in 2008. It was bulldozed to make way for Worcester Community Housing’s £3 million scheme to create 23 new apartments.

The Barley Mow, Sidbury Road closed down in 2006 after being wrecked by flooding. The Grade II listed building in Sidbury has been converted into flats.

The Crown, in Martley, closed in September 2017. It is not clear why the pub closed so abruptly.

For information of Worcester’s pub closures, visit: http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/worcestershire/worcester.html