here are few sights as depressing as a boarded-up pub.

For centuries, pubs have been the beating heart of British life, the focal point of communities. The sight of a once-thriving Nag’s Heads or Queen’s Arms reduced to an empty shell has become increasingly common and is a sad reflection on the pressures mounting for pubs.

Figures at the end of 2009 revealed that 50 pubs were closing in the UK each week. The British Beer and Pub Association’s latest survey puts the current rate at 39 a week, but we’re still losing our pubs at an alarming rate.

According to the BBPA, a total of 2,365 pubs closed in the UK last year, with 24,000 jobs lost. The number of independently-owned free houses fell more rapidly than the number of pubs in the leased and tenanted sector.

There were 576 closures among free houses (22 a week), compared with 320 among tenanted pubs (12 a week). The remainder of closures were among managed pubs – 117 in total, at a rate of five a week.

The BBPA, which is calling on the public and politicians to get behind its I’m Backing The Pub campaign, says Government plans for another increase in beer tax in the forthcoming Budget will be a further blow to struggling licensed premises.

“The UK economy may be edging out of recession, but times remain very tough for pubs,” says BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds.

“In the current climate, the last thing pubs need is a higher tax bill. This won’t help the public finances either, as closing pubs, job losses and falling beer sales mean less tax revenue for the Treasury.

“Pubs make a significant contribution to both the economy and community life. It’s time for the Government to work with our industry and put into practice policies that support pubs and local communities.”

While BBPA figures show that free houses are closing at a quicker rate than leased pubs, there are added pressures facing the latter. Bradford Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) chairman Bill Arnold says the biggest challenge facing licensees is the stranglehold of pub companies.

Bill, who has just sold his independent pub, The Junction, in Baildon, says licensees of chain pubs which perform well face rising rents from parent companies and have to buy beer at a price set by these companies.

“The more effort that goes in, the more money the pub companies want in return. They bang the rents up,” he says.

CAMRA is calling for an end to landlords being tied in to paying for beer, and the Office for Fair Trading is investigating. Bill is hopeful that this will bring about a fairer deal. “Being tied into rents and the money they pay for beer is an added pressure for landlords, when the industry is already suffering,” he says. “Allowing them to purchase beer independently would help enormously.” While beer costs and tax create pressure for pubs, Bill says changes in our drinking culture have also had a major impact on the trade. Cheap beer, lager and wine available in supermarkets is a significant factor in shifting drinking habits.

“At one time it was just off-licences selling alcohol. People used to go out for a drink,” says Bill. “Supermarket cheap booze has created the culture of drinking at home, and binge-drinking. Supermarkets shouldn’t be selling cheap booze, but with the Government getting revenue from the tax, the situation is unlikely to change.”

The 21st century binge-drinking epidemic is a world away from putting the world to rights over a pint in a corner of your local. For generations of regulars, their local has been as much a part of life as their family or job. But with changing drinking patterns and transient communities, pubs are less of a focal point.

“It’s a great shame,” says Bill. “Pubs play a valuable social role. You can’t beat the atmosphere of a good pub. It’s where lifelong friendships are formed. Sports events, charity nights, quiz teams, domino and darts leagues are part of pub life. You can’t do all that at home, drinking in front of the telly.

“Pubs have diversified to meet changing demands – we ran curry nights at The Junction which were popular – but essentially they’ve remained at the heart of communities.

“Bradford city centre used to be full of pubs. When I moved here 20 years ago, Ivegate was packed with busy pubs. Now you get ‘posers’ bars’ in town where people have a drink then move on. ”

The smoking ban introduced in 2007 has been blamed for driving custom from pubs, but Bill says they have adapted well. “There was good and bad with the smoking ban. I personally think it’s a good thing. Health-wise, a smoke-free environment is better for bar staff as well as customers,” he says.

Bill hopes the rise in popularity of real ale will draw a younger generation into pubs. “Beer festivals and smaller breweries like Salamander and Old Bear play a valuable role in this.

“Once people taste real ale they don’t want to go back to gassy lager. They appreciate the beer for what it is – not as something to binge on.”