The number of pub and bar companies going insolvent has fallen by 7% over the past year amid increased popularity of craft beers and food, a survey has shown.
Ortus Secured Finance said the number decreased from 521 to 480, partly due to firms being able to replace bank funding with alternative finance.
Managing director Jon Salisbury said: Â “With insolvencies steadily declining in the last few years, it is clear that the pub sector is performing well.
“Small and big companies alike are becoming increasingly aware of alternative finance and the value continued investment can have for their business.
“Finance plays a vital part in helping pub and bar companies take advantage of growing trends in public demand, such as craft beer.”
Mr Salisbury said that, partly because of the popularity of gastropubs, people were spending money on food as well as drinks.
Craft beer boom revives fortunes of bar and pub companies