Membership for CAMRA falls to eight-year low
It has been reported that CAMRA, the consumer organisation, took an £800,000 loss in 2025. Membership numbers sit at 143,038 as of November 2025. This drop reflects the influence of large brewing conglomerates, and the wider impact of pub closures.
This past year was perhaps the most challenging for CAMRA in its 54 year history. Last September, the organisation announced it had been forced to cancel the famous Great British Beer Festival, as well as suspend any future dates, due to financial pressures. In a press release, CAMRA announced it had to make redundancies and go through a restructuring procedure.
In their annual report, CAMRA blame the misinformation around popular drinks which are available in most pubs, as well as the cost of living and independent pub closures.
At Club Insure, we ask: Should club owners and pub goers care about the nuances of the drinks market, such as anti-competitive practices? – And what benefits can CAMRA offer to clubs?
What is CAMRA?
CAMRA is The Campaign for Real Ale. Founded in 1971, CAMRA’s mission is to promote and advocate for real ales and real ciders being sold in British pubs. Real ales are natural, use traditional ingredients, contain no added gas, and are pulled by hand pumps. CAMRA’s vision is a country filled with thriving pubs selling locally-sourced real ales. CAMRA also operates as a pub finder to guide socially-responsible drinkers to nearby registered watering holes.
CAMRA recently released the Beer in the UK Report, which illuminates the state of British brewing, and how four international companies dominate beer sales.
CAMRA Chairman, Ash Corbett-Collins recently published a press release commenting on the PM’s decision to review the valuation of pubs. CAMRA is keen to see a business rates reduction and overhaul of the business rates system, to benefit pubs and hospitality. A well-known and well-respected organisation in the sector, announcing redundancies and membership drops is worrying for those who support the welfare of licensed premises.
Why is CAMRA membership falling?
CAMRA membership has dropped, parallel to the decreasing popularity of cask ale. NIQ said the volume of beers sold in pubs fell by 7.1% in 2025. Also, pubs and licensed venues are closing at a rapid rate – two pubs closed per day in the first quarter of 2026. One independent brewery closes per week. And whereas new drinkers from the most recent generation are not the biggest cask ale fans, there has been a push to ‘unplug’ and drink a traditional ale in the local boozer, says Siba.
Ultimately, the drop in membership suggests the beer voucher and beer discounts awarded to CAMRA members are not deemed worth the £35 annual membership fee.
Many pubs and licensed premises are therefore not buying or properly advertising cask ale product on their premises. However CAMRA representatives have said the incentive to buy and sell cask ale product is there for pubs, but the influence of the brewing conglomerates is impeding purchases.
CAMRA’s criticism of the current drinks market
Tom Stainer, CAMRA’s Chief Executive, has been outspoken about the illusion of choice present in most pubs and drinks licensed venues. He told the Guardian that most pub-goers when walking into bars don’t realise that all the brands available are owned by the same company. The big global brewers have huge influence; they tie bars and pubs into packages where they must sell a minimum amount of product. These contractual obligations prevent the owners of license premises from investing in independent breweries and real ale products.
CAMRA is petitioning for an authority to investigate the competitive nature of the drinks market. The organisation wants to see a good selection of cask ales and local beers available alongside the main conglomerates at the bar, ensuring consumers have a fair choice.
Can Clubs join CAMRA?
Non-for-profit private members’ clubs, operated and governed for the benefit of their members, where gains are reinvested, can join CAMRA.
The benefit of joining CAMRA is that your club or establishment can be featured on their ‘Pubs & Clubs To Visit’ section. The register includes Pub of the Year, Club of the Year, alongside 96% of Britain’s cask ale pubs. Documentation around real ales are available, as well as marketing materials and advertising strategies.
For more information on the rules of joining CAMRA and how to define your club or business, go to their website. CAMRA offer plenty of information and guidance on improving the bar setup at your club.
There is also an ethical precedent. Club owners and club members are likely to be among those who would support local breweries, and be interested in cask ales and less mainstream alcoholic beverages.
Another reason to support CAMRA, is because of their mission to support local pubs and social clubs, and their continued push for government action. “In the context of the cost-of-living crisis, the role of pubs and social clubs in their communities is more important than ever.” says their 2026 Beer Report.
Go to CAMRA Beer Report to learn about the supply of beer to pubs in 2026.