Pubs across the UK are shutting down at the rate of 26 a week, beer is more expensive than at any time in the last 10 years and barrel sales are the lowest they have been over the same period, according to industry figures.

Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) numbers makes for worrying reading for drinkers and pub enthusiasts alike – and Waltham Forest is no exception.

An estimated 30 pubs have shut down in the Walthamstow, Leyton, Leytonstone, Chingford and Highams Hill areas since 2002, according to The Lost Pubs website, which lists 22,894 closed pubs.

Reasons cited for disappearing pubs range from beer tax, to the smoking ban, to the demise of the high street to supermarkets supplying cheaper alcohol.

CAMRA figures show the rate of national pub closures rose from 18 per week in early 2012 to 26 per week in the six months leading to March 2013.

Meanwhile, BBPA figures show the price of a pint was £3.09 in 2012, higher than at any point since 2002, which sees beer drinkers pay more Duty and VAT per pint than at any time in the same period.

The annual total of beer sales is also down, with the final quarter of 2012 seeing sales of just over 27million barrels of beer, a figure down 4.7 per cent on the same period in 2011.

Mike Benner, CAMRA Chief Executive, said: “We are hopeful that the fortunes of Britain’s pubs are set to change.”