Scottish pubs are closing at a rate of one every two days, according to the UK's largest licensed trade lobbying group.

The British Beer and Pub Association, whose Scottish wing represents almost one-third of the 5200 public houses north of the border, said that across the UK as a whole five pubs a day closed during the first half of this year.

The research by market researcher CGA Strategy shows that closure rates are up 33% from the 27 closures a week in 2007, nine times faster than in 2006 and 18 times faster than in 2005.

The current economic downturn and its impact on household finances have been blamed for the situation, while in Scotland it has been claimed that the cost of the transition into the new licensing system is driving many landlords out of the trade.

But the findings are at odds with recent Scottish Government statistics that showed the number of alcohol licences has actually risen since 2006.

It comes as new figures show UK pubs on the verge of selling less beer than the off-trade for the first time in history due to aggressive discounting by supermarkets.

Just 40% of all alcohol is now sold in traditional outlets such as bars, restaurants and nightclubs, most of the rest being bought from supermarkets, with Tesco alone selling one-third of all off-trade alcohol.

The Scottish Government's consultation on minimum pricing, banning irresponsible promotions in off-sales, introducing a social responsibility fee and raising the age for the purchase of alcohol in off-sales also finishes this week, with Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill warning yesterday that he would push ahead with the proposals despite "scaremongering by vested interests".

Yesterday BBPA chief executive Rob Hayward said the numbers were "a stark illustration" of the pressures on the pub sector and that "economic stresses and strains are being felt by every household across the country and acutely by Britain's public houses".

He added: "Sliding consumer confidence and spiralling inflation are hitting pubs in two ways. Not only are the costs of running a pub increasing, but fewer people through the door means less cash in the tills.

"Thousands of much-loved community pubs are under threat. They are at the heart of every community and a major tourist draw for Britain.

"With so many pubs in peril, the government's threat of further stealth taxes on beer cannot go unanswered."

A BBPA spokesman added: "It would fair to say that the UK figures translate as one every two days in Scotland."

Last month the Scottish Government said that the number of public house licences had risen by nine since the smoking ban came into force and that there were now one for every 1000 people.

But trade lobbyists said the figures masked a multitude of issues, including the fact that even when pubs close the licences remain and that rural pubs were shutting while others were opening in large towns and cities.

Paul Waterson, chief executive of the Scottish licensed Trade Association, said the most recent figures his organisation had was 350 closures between March 2006 and March 2008 but these were already redundant and did not take into account those who have thrown in the towel because of the credit crunch.

Meanwhile, Kenny MacAskill has said the notion of "huge distribution hangars" set up near the border to flood Scotland with cheap drink from England would not deter the government from pressing ahead with its programme.