NIQ: Britain licensed premises flat in Q2 2026 at 98,564 amid high closures and openings

• NIQ reported Britain’s licensed premises were flat in Q2 2026, ending June at 98,564 outlets, down 0.2% year-on-year.
• Closures hit 1,839 between March and June, about 20 sites a day; openings totaled 1,794, nearly offsetting the decline.
• Operators faced weak consumer confidence, persistent cost inflation, pressure linked to Middle East conflict, pointing to continued business fragility.
• Bars showed the sharpest churn: 4,695 outlets at end-June; 515 opened in the past 12 months; 191 opened in Q2; sector up 1.4% year-on-year.
• City-center licensed premises rose 0.4% year-on-year, outperforming the broader market; Liverpool grew 4% while Brighton rose 2.2%.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. NIQ Global Intelligence plc published the original content used to generate this news brief on July 27, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.