Bars: 24,000 establishments have closed in six years; Rome has lost over 30 per cent of its bars

The ranking changes when percentage changes are taken into account. The sharpest decline has been recorded in the Marche region, where 25 per cent of bars have closed down compared with 2019.

Lazio follows the Marche region, with a fall of 23.9 per cent, followed by Valle d’Aosta with 22.2 per cent and Veneto with 20.1 per cent.

Among the cities, the figures for Rome stand out in particular. In the capital, 2,827 bars have closed, representing a decline of over 30 per cent. Confesercenti points out that this decline was not even halted by the record numbers of tourists visiting the city.

“The decline of high street retail is changing the daily lives of our communities,” says Nico Gronchi, president of Confesercenti.

Behind the crisis lies the unique nature of the Italian bar. Confesercenti describes it as a business model closely intertwined with the country’s customs: from a quick coffee at the bar to table service, the bar remains a daily hub for locals and a venue much appreciated by visitors too.

However, the model’s widespread adoption and popularity are no longer sufficient to offset a range of economic pressures. Among the factors highlighted by the association are, first and foremost, rising operating costs – particularly for energy and raw materials – and a decline in household purchasing power.

Added to these factors are labour costs, which are particularly significant for labour-intensive businesses operating with low average receipt values. Other factors include lower daily footfall in towns and cities – partly due to remote working – changes in the distribution of consumer spending throughout the day, and competition from modern retail and new delivery services.

‘A bar is a business that creates jobs and provides a service. But it is also one of the simplest and most accessible places where people can meet. This is true of small towns, where it can be a focal point for everyone, and it is true of neighbourhoods in large cities. When these places disappear, the streets become less busy and cities become duller and less safe,” says Nico Gronchi, president of Confesercenti.

To assess more closely the impact of the decline in the number of bars on individual regions, from 28 September Confesercenti will be presenting local data on the disappearance of traditional bars in all regional capitals.

The aim is to highlight what the national figures fail to fully reflect: the gradual decline of a network comprising businesses, services and spaces for social interaction.

“The presentation of the data will also serve as a call to action,” continues Gronchi. “We are asking all citizens,” he concludes, “to support the citizens’ initiative bill promoted by Confesercenti to combat the decline of high streets and encourage the regeneration of towns and cities. Defending local businesses means defending jobs, services and places where people can continue to meet.”