Rural communities across the UK are suffering as schools, banks, post offices, pubs and GP surgeries close. New research by The Observer reveals that more and more villages are at risk as rural life is eroded. Radical action is needed to reverse the terminal decline
95 per cent of village halls are struggling to stay open
27 village pubs are closing a week
800 village shops are shutting each year
400 garages and filling stations are closing each year
100+ churches of all denominations are closing each year
7 rural schools are shutting annually
90 cottage hospitals are under threat
