A group of dedicated pub lovers have encouraged people to support local businesses by taking part in Support an Independent Pub Day on the last day of Dry January.
The event will take place on across London on Saturday, 31 January, and will collaborate with more than 80 pubs, including The Blue Maid in Southwark, The Queen’s Head in Limehouse, The Pelton Arms in Greenwich, and The Old Ivy House in Clerkenwell.
Each pub will each set a pint sales target for the day with the hopes of meeting their goal, due to the awareness raised by Support an Independent Pub Day.
Alison Boutoille, co-organiser of the event, said: “The aim of the event is simple: celebrate and support community hubs that help millions of people stay connected and draw attention to the alarming disappearance of these establishments, which form a vital part of UK culture.”
The initiative arrives at a challenging moment for independent pubs, which are facing a range of financial pressures, including reduced business rates relief, rising operating costs, increased pay-TV sports subscription fees, high rents, regulatory pressures from local authorities and inflation affecting customer spending.
The latest government statistics, based on research by the tax firm Ryan, shows that 366 pubs were demolished or converted for other uses in 2025, the equivalent of one pub closing per day.
Over the past 25 years, pub numbers have steadily fallen, and in the last five years alone England and Wales have lost around 2,000 pubs, leaving a total of 38,623.
Support an Independent Pub Day was launched in 2024 by Boutoille, founder of CityStack London Independent Pub Collection, a start-up selling vouchers of food and drink to spend in the independent pubs in the capital, and Thomas J. Vosper, author of Historic Pub Crawls, to help pubs navigate these challenges and encourage the public to visit local venues.
This year, the event will be organised on the last day of Dry January, a month long challenge where people abstain from alcohol.
Boutoille said: “Footfall is vital for independent pubs to cover soaring costs, yet the rise in people taking a break from alcohol and avoiding pubs for Dry January adds to the challenge.
“This makes the first quarter the most difficult time of year for pubs.”
The initiative was welcomed by Kate Davidson, landlady of The Old Ivy House.
She said: “Summer benefits from football matches, while the end of the year is busy with Christmas parties.
“There isn’t much happening at the start of the year, so initiatives like this can help boost revenues.”
Feature image credit: CityStack
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