More than 20 Wrexham pubs have called last orders over the last decade, sparking calls from campaigners to do more to stem the flow of closures.
Once a staple of the town and village life, they are now being demolished, rebuilt as housing and shops, or converted into flats, homes, takeaways and stores.
And there are fears more pubs may follow unless action is taken, with calls to cut the tax burden and help them stay afloat.
The latest concerns come as another planning application is submitted, this time to convert part of the former Castle Inn in Brynteg into a house next to an existing kebab takeaway there.
Many pubs and inns that have shut across Wrexham since 2008, fell victim to a mix of tough economic times, changing drinking habits and the smoking ban, introduced in 2006.
They include the Walnut Tree in Rhosddu - converted into flats; Kings Arms, Wrexham - demolished; Old Vaults, Cefn Mawr - now a Chinese takeaway; Butchers Arms, Rossett - a Co-op and the Queens Head, Bradley - demolished for houses.
The Golbourne in Borras and the Golden Grove in Burton - demolished with plans to replace them with housing; the Royal Oak, Coedpoeth - now a kebab house; the Plough, Rhosymedre - demolished; the Mitre Vaults, Wrexham - turned into student accommodation and the Railway in Cefn Mawr - converted into houses.
Others on the list include the Westminster Arms, Bwlchgwyn; The Swan on Pen y Bryn, Wrexham; Worthenbury Arms, Worthenbury; Cross Keys, Ponciau; White Hart, Pentrebroughton; Gredington Arms, Holt; Grapes, Moss; Travellers Inn, Johnstown, the Malthouse, Wrexham and the Black Horse, Summerhill.
The Campaign for Real Ale says 18 pubs continue to be shut every week across the UK.
Colin Valentine, CAMRA’s National Chairman says: “Pubs are now facing a crippling tax burden, exacerbated by the perfect storm of the last business rates revaluation and a high level of beer duty. From these new pub closure figures, it is clear that a fundamental change is needed if the British pub is to survive for future generations.
“As Britain prepares to leave the European Union, the Government has a unique opportunity to update the tax system to better support pubs, which are a bastion of British culture and at the heart of communities across the country.
“We can now look further afield for a new tax deal for the sector. This could include implementing the Australian model of having a lower rate of duty for beer sold in pubs, radically changing the business rates system, or charging a lower rate of VAT for pubs or, even better, all three.”
“Millions of dedicated pub-goers are looking to the Government to act now to secure the future of the great British pub.”
