More pubs have shut in the West Midlands in 2022 than anywhere else in England and Wales, a study has revealed.

As of June there are 39,970 pubs in the country - the lowest on record - according to real estate consultancy Altus Group.

With 200 closing nationwide so far in 2022, 28 have shut in the West Midlands alone.

The region was followed by London and the East of England which each lost 24.

Atlas said pubs were still suffering the impact of the pandemic, as well as inflation.

More than 7,000 have closed since 2012.

And with the trend looking set to continue, landlord at The Gauntlet, Simon Moore, said pubs need to change their outlook in order to stay in business.

Speaking to Nub News after opening a petanque pitch in the venue's car park, he said: "People's habits have changed and whatever ministers will tell you, pub life is nowhere near back to how it used to be pre-2020.

"I actually think it never will be because people's habits have changed. 

"I think the more community-led businesses there are, those are the ones that are going to survive. 

"You can't now just open a pub and expect people to come, you have to keep doing stuff for other people."

In Kenilworth, The Cottage Inn shut most recently, closing its doors in November 2021, just six months after reopening under husband and wife team Mick Griffin and Sam Heslop-Griffin.

The Stoneleigh Road pub is still without a landlord, with owner Wells & Co now offering three months free rent to a new tenant.

Robert Hayton, head of Altus in the UK, added: "Whilst pubs proved remarkably resilient during the pandemic, they're now facing new headwinds grappling with the cost of doing business in a crisis through soaring energy costs, inflationary pressures and tax rises."

More Kenilworth Pub News:

• Kenilworth pub unveils new dog station to support greyhound charity
• Balsall Common pub reopens following refurbishment
• Kenilworth pub plans renovations to 'neglected' front terrace