Ed Sheeran finds himself caught in the midst of Britain’s pub crisis as his establishment, Bertie Blossoms, continues to struggle amid the ongoing challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Recent financial reports show that Sheeran’s bar and diner, operating under That Dive Bar Portobello, faced significant financial setbacks, with net current liabilities amounting to £1.3m as of December 2024. The company’s balance sheet indicates a decline of £763,000 since December 2021, highlighting the tough circumstances faced by the business.

Furthermore, the company downsized its staff to just five employees, a decrease from six in the previous year and ten in 2020. This downsizing trend reflects the broader challenges faced by the pub industry in the UK, with a worrying number of establishments being forced to shut down, including community pubs that heavily rely on beverage sales to sustain their operations.

Recent data reveals that in the final quarter of 2025, an additional 188 pubs closed their doors, with a significant portion being community-oriented establishments. The overall landscape of hospitality sites in the UK has seen a decline, with food-led pubs and high street locations being particularly impacted by closures. In response to these challenges, The Mirror has launched the “Your Pub Needs You” campaign to advocate for support for pub owners and the communities they serve.

Ed Sheeran, known for his successful music career and estimated worth of £300m, purchased Bertie Blossoms in 2019 as a tribute to his wife, Cherry Seaborn, and his manager’s partner, Liberty Shaw. Despite facing hardships during the pandemic, Sheeran made efforts to revamp the establishment, offering promotions like discounted wine on Deliveroo to attract customers during lockdowns. The struggles faced by Bertie Blossoms underscore the wider difficulties encountered by the food industry, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions and support to combat the wave of closures experienced since the onset of the pandemic.