Wales Defies Pub Closure Crisis as New Taproom Opens in Cardiff

On a sweltering Thursday evening in Canton, a lively corner of Cardiff, locals in summer gear flowed between the bar and garden of the city’s newest pub, the Pig & Swill. Next door, families at Victoria Park’s splash pad grabbed takeaway pints and small plates from the new spot. Co-founder Lewis Dwyer says business has been strong since opening a few weekends ago. “We are really blown away by the positive reception,” he said.

New industry data shows British pubs are in deep trouble. In the first quarter of 2026, 161 pubs closed—two a day—due to higher taxes, rising food and energy costs, and regulatory burdens. That’s a 26% increase from last year, costing about 2,400 jobs, according to the British Beer and Pub Association. But Wales bucked the trend, with three new pubs opening in that period, followed by at least three more this spring, including the Pig & Swill.

Dwyer and his business partner, Andy Aston, already run Hiraeth, a Michelin-listed restaurant across the street. When a cafe space opened up, they launched a Kickstarter that raised £29,000 for the refit. “Diners kept asking where to go for a nightcap, and there was nowhere nearby,” Dwyer said. “We wanted to give the neighborhood a quality place that complements Hiraeth and the park.”

Still, Wales’ hospitality sector overall is struggling, with more restaurant and hotel closures than openings, notes David Chapman of UK Hospitality Cymru. He urges the new Welsh government to reform business rates and ease cost pressures. But for locals like Annie Harding, who backed the Kickstarter, the new taproom is a win. “It’s great to support a local business,” she said, sharing a bottle of wine with a friend.