Kingston has lost over a third of its pubs since 2001, figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show

The number of pubs in Kingston has fallen from 95 in 2001 to 60 this year, which represents a 37 percent fall, according to the ONS report.

In Kingston, there remains around 3.4 pubs per 10,000 people, which is a little over half the UK average of 5.8 pubs.

Across the country, nearly a quarter of pubs have closed since 2008, particularly small community pubs which have been badly hit.

A local pub manager, who did not want to be named and whose pub has been open for about ten years, said she was not surprised by the report’s findings.

The Kingston publican said: “I would probably put that down to price increases in every thing. You’ve got more homeless people and alcoholics who buy from shops.

“People have to want to go out and spend their money on food and drinks. They don’t want  to go out so you have to make that seem more affordable but also more appealing.”

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has called for urgent reform to business rates, a full review of the Pubs Code, and a lower rate of duty for beer sold in pubs.

CAMRA’s chief campaigns and communications officer Tom Stainer said: "These shocking new figures show the huge loss that has been felt by communities up and down the country as beloved locals have closed down.

“By focussing on the stability of turnover from pubs and bars since the recession this study fails to measure the loss of the benefits that local pubs bring to their communities.

“Pubs play a unique role in offering a social environment to enjoy a drink with friends, they help combat isolation and loneliness and help people feel connected to their community.”