Pubs in England and Wales are “vanishing” at a rate of 40 a month.

According to Altus the number of viable pubs, including those vacant or to let, fell by 315 to 40,748 in the first eight months of the year, with 87 closing since lockdown restrictions were lifted.

Pubs in England and Wales are receiving a 12-month business rates holiday worth £768m and were eligible for £558m in grant funding, but for many businesses it has not been enough.

The British Beer & Pub Association expects the rate of closures to accelarate once the rates holiday ends in March and the sector is hit with an £800m bill.