Nearly half the pubs in Bolton have closed over the past 15 years with the loss of more than 400 jobs, an investigation by The Bolton News has found.

In total, 95 local boozers have called time across the borough since 2003.

Many shut in the wake of the 2007/08 financial crash, and others were victims of rising business rates or the changing nature of people’s drinking habits.

Those to close include historic venues like The Starkie Arms, in Tonge Moor Road, which was razed to the ground earlier this month as part of plans to replace it with a supermarket.

​READ MORE: INTERACTIVE- See how many pubs and bars have opened or shut for good in your area​

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), Bolton has been left with around 4.4 pubs for every 10,000 people - lower than the national average.

This appears to be part of a trend, with many large towns on the outskirts of major cities seeing the largest decline in numbers. It can also be seen in places like Rochdale and Bury, as well as areas like Sandwell and Dudley, outside Birmingham.

Similarly Bolton has seen a trend of small pubs closing and larger venues opening, which is also replicated across the country.

Bolton chef Mike Hales is the man behind The Railway, in Bromley Cross, which reopened in November after a two-year closure.

He believes there are new opportunities in the pub industry, but that people’s tastes and priorities are changing and publicans need to keep up with the shift.

“The industry has changed over the last 20 years that I have been in it,” he said.

“I think pubs are having to move with the times, where a traditional pub is just for drinks, people now want more of an experience. They want more food, more quality and more locally sourced products.”

The Bolton News:

Mike Hales outside the newly reopened Railway pub.

But, Mr Hales, who owns a number of other pubs around the region, thinks the industry is beginning to show signs of recovery after a difficult few years.

He added: “I think things are getting better but what’s happening more and more is that independents are leading the way. We have got these big companies watching us and trying to see what similar things they can do.

“We can change something quickly but the bigger companies can’t react like that. I think that change is what breeds success.”

Data shows the financial crisis had a major impact on pubs nationally, with numbers falling from around 50,000 pubs in 2008 to around 39,000 pubs in 2018.

Paul Barber is chairman of R3, a company which deals with the insolvency and restructuring of businesses, and he has worked with a number of pubs.

Analysing the figures, he explained that the pressures seen on the industry mean that many pubs that are still at risk of failing.

“The licensed trade is very competitive and there is always pressure on costs,” Mr Barber said.

“However while pub closures may be a problem in rural areas, these figures are not all bad news.

“Turnover in the industry has held up and the number of jobs has actually increased overall. The figures reflect the move from smaller to larger establishments and suggest that as one pub closes, others have taken the custom.”

He also said there has been “a move towards quality, in terms of the venue and the product” for many pubs.

Adding: “Modern pubs tend to be smarter, more family-friendly establishments serving food and real ale.”

TOMORROW: Don’t miss The Bolton News tomorrow to see how the pub trade is facing the challenges head on.