MORE PUBS have been opening in Hackney than anywhere else in the UK. Sixty-five have opened since 2010, a rise attributable to the influx of affluent millennials, the popularity of craft breweries around the borough and high property prices.

This has led to a jobs explosion: 2,250 in pubs and bars — 221.4% higher than in 2001, the first year for which government number-crud cheers can find reliable data.

In total, Hackney has 185 pubs, about 6.6 per 10,000 people, just above the UK average of 5.8. 

Neighbouring Islington has nine pubs/10,000, a much higher figure than Hackney’s, but it is falling — statistics can seem complicated. Islington’s high pub-bar base figure means that its drinking culture provides about 3,000 jobs.

The grimmest borough for anyone wanting to pop into the nearest pub on the spur of the moment is Newham, which has a total of 45 — 60 have closed since 2001.

Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) communications officer Tom Stainer told Loving Dalston: “Pubs play a unique role in offering a social environment to enjoy a drink with friends, they help  to combat isolation and they help people to  feel connected to their community.

“Camra has launched a three-point plan to save the Great British pub, calling for urgent reform to business rates, an urgent review of the Pubs Code and a lower rate of duty for beer sold in pubs.”

About 6.6 pubs per 10,000 people, total 185 pubs, 30 more than in 2001, which is higher than the UK average of 5.8 pubs. Jobs in pubs and bars: 2,250, 221.4% higher than in 2001.

Haringey borough N22 8LE 

About 2.3 pubs/10,000, total 65. Jobs in pubs and bars: 900, 12.5% up on 2001.

Islington N1 2UD

About nine pubs/10,000 people, total 215, 25 down. About 3,000 jobs in pubs and bars, 71.4% up.

Newham E16 2QU  

About 1.3 pubs/10,000 people, total 45. Sixty have closed since 2001. Jobs in pubs and bars: 400, 33.3% up.

Tower Hamlets

About 4.1 pubs/10,000, total 130, 75 down on 2001. Jobs in pubs and bars: 1,500, 50% higher.

Waltham Forest

About 1.6 pubs/10,000, total 90 pubs, 45 fewer than in 2001. Jobs in pubs and bars: 450, 43.8% lower than in 2001.

NB: text in orange in homage to the colour of ale (if you put up with the signposted wordplay of “boozers” in the headline, you just might accept the orange).

* Pictures © David.Altheer @ gmail.com, and for sale for reproduction. Bigger format versions are usually available.

* Backstory: Hackney Christmas Day pub openings 2017; Haggerston’s Acorn under the wrecker’s ball; Brewer makes his name in Hackney; In the pub and sober; Closing time for pubs; Welcome to Whitechapel mosque

* Emboldened underscored words in most cases indicate a hyperlink, a reader service rare among websites. If a link does not work, it is probably because the site to which the URL refers has not been maintained. A link indicates neither approval nor disapproval by Loving Dalston.