FIGURES reveal how trade in Flintshire and Wrexham pubs have fared last year.

Industry bodies have cautiously welcomed the national increase but have called for tax breaks to ensure the survival of the “great British pub”.

However, Office for National Statistics data shows that the pumps were pouring at around 80 public houses in Wrexham in 2019 – a drop from the previous year, when there were 90. In 2007, there were 135 pubs to choose from in the area.

Likewise, in Flintshire, data shows that there were 100 public houses in Flintshire in 2019 – the same number as in the previous year.

But despite business holding steady, it still represents a big drop from the 170 boozers open in 2007.

The introduction of the smoking ban in the same year, the impact of the Great Recession and a rise in alcohol duty in 2008 have all been blamed for landlords calling last orders since.

The number of pubs across Wales fell last year, to 2,170 – a long way from the 3,110 in 2007.

Across the UK, a 1 per cent rise in the numbers of pubs last year to just over 39,000 was the first increase since 2007, when the figure stood at 51,000.

Commenting on the UK figures, national chairman of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Nik Antona “cautiously” welcomed the fact that pubs appeared to be bouncing back after years of closures.

He said: “Unfortunately pubs continue to close across the country, particularly in small or rural communities. This means the loss of the social, cultural and economic benefits that come with a well-run local.”

CAMRA is calling on governments to review business rates and lower the tax rate on beer sold in pubs.

While the number of locals across the UK has dropped in the long-term, there are more employees working in pubs on average than a decade ago.

In 2007, the average pub in the UK employed five people. Now, the figure stands at eight.

In Wrexham, a similar trend has been seen, with the average pub employing six staff in 2019, up from four in 2007.

Figures for Flintshire show paint a comparable picture, with the average pub employing five staff in 2019, up from four in 2007.

A Welsh Government spokesman said: "Our permanent Small Business Rates Relief scheme provides certainty and security for small businesses in Wales. This year the scheme is supporting around 70,000 ratepayers with over £110 million of relief. More than half will pay no rates at all.

"In 2020-21 we have also allocated an additional £24.2 million for our high street and retail rates relief scheme, which provides further support to over 15,000 small and medium-sized businesses to help them pay their rates bills."