A new pub, the Pig & Swill, opened in Cardiff’s Canton neighbourhood and has drawn strong local demand since a few weekends ago. While 161 British pubs closed in Q1 2026—about two per day—Wales was the exception with three new openings. The closures reflected higher taxes, inflated food and energy bills, and regulatory costs, and were linked to roughly 2,400 job losses. In Cardiff and nearby areas, Pig & Swill, Vicino, and The Nelson opened in April and May. The founders, Lewis Dwyer and Andy Aston, previously ran Hiraeth, a Michelin Guide-listed restaurant, and used a newly available cafe space to launch a taphouse after a Kickstarter raised £29,000 for the refit.
"A total of 161, or two a day, closed in the first quarter of 2026 amid higher taxes, inflated food and energy bills and regulatory costs. The closures were up 26% on the same period last year and equate to the loss of approximately 2,400 jobs, according to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA)."
Read at www.theguardian.com
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