A tidal wave of beer taxes, unfair supermarket prices and the economic downturn are crippling Kent’s pub industry.

The head of Kent’s Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is calling for more help for publicans as it is predicted 7500 pubs will close by 2012, if things do not change.

That would mean one in eight pubs across the nation would disappear.

In all 87 pubs have closed in Kent since the start of the year. The British Beer and Pub Association said 36 pubs a week are calling time for good.

CAMRA has written to the Chancellor Alistair Darling in advance of his pre-budget report calling for help.

Regional Director for Kent Kay Mendham said: “I am not surprised by the figures because I can see this happening already.

“If things continue to escalate like they have over the last two years then this number will easily be reached.

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“Pubs need to get more punters in to cope with the higher taxes placed on them by the government but people are not coming in because of the credit crunch.

“Another big problem is people can buy alcohol at low prices from supermarkets.

“The government’s taxes are an unfair burden at the moment. Many publicans have a pessimistic outlook because taxes are continually increased without any form of relief for those struggling.

“There should be a form of reduction in VAT and the government should look at limiting how cheaply alcohol can be sold in supermarkets.

“If this doesn’t happen people are going to lose their opportunity to go out and meet friends.

"These are not kind of things you can replace. They will be gone forever.”