Slough's pub scene has been described as "dire" by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

Last month the longstanding Herschel Arms closed its doors after its landlord was priced out by high rents.

It has been just one of the many pubs to have closed this year, including The Three Tuns which closed in June.

In 2021 this paper reported that Slough had the fewest pubs to people in the UK.

READ MORE: Slough named the WORST place in the country for pubs per person

It was stated that with just 25 pubs in Slough serving 149,539 people, the town has almost 6,000 residents per pub.

Now, as of September 2023, the local pub scene has significantly shrunk, with just 14 pubs now left in Slough.

In the 2021 census, the population was reported to have risen to over 167,000 people.

A CAMRA spokesperson said: "The Herschel Arms’ closure brought Slough’s number of pubs per capita down to a mere one per 9,816 people.

READ MORE: Curtains to close on historic pub

"This means that Slough now has fewer pubs per capita than there are in global cities like Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Mumbai and Bangalore.

"About the same as the number of pubs and bars per capita in Dubai and Adu Dhabi, where it isn't even legal to drink alcohol without tourist visas."

Meanwhile, the amount of drinkers and non-drinkers in Slough is consistent with the national average.

CAMRA National Chairman Nik Antona added: "The recent spate of closures in Slough is, unfortunately, reflective of the struggles of the licensed trade across the whole of the UK.

"CAMRA’s most recent biennial pub closure figures show a total of 96 pubs were lost to conversion or demolition in the first six months of 2023, and a further 772 were classed as ‘long-term closed’, equivalent to 30 pubs a week.

“To lose the Herschel Arms so soon after the closure of the Three Tuns must come as a shock to the communities of Berkshire. 

READ MORE: The Three Tuns Slough sees 'many tears shed' on final days

“The reason behind these closures cannot be identified as one single issue, but instead it is the amalgamation of a whole torrent of challenges that pubs and social clubs, along with the breweries and cider makers who serve them, are currently swimming upstream against. This is a make-or-break time for the trade. 

"The simultaneous rising costs of goods and employing staff, government help with energy bills being cut and customers continuing to tighten their belts due to the cost-of-living crisis risks drowning the beer and pub industries, which are still desperately trying to recover from the aftereffects of the pandemic. 

“Pubs, social clubs and taprooms need support from the government now more than ever if they are to survive and thrive. Business rate relief schemes currently in place in England are due to end in 2024, so the Government needs to act soon."

Currently, CAMRA said there is still "a ray of hope" in potentially saving The Herschel Arms as it is listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) until April 1 next year.

This means the owner can’t sell it as a development opportunity, or grant a lease of more than 25 years, without Slough Borough Council being legally obliged to notify the local community and give them the first opportunity to buy the pub.