Commercial mortgage specialist Crystal Mortgages has seen a £1 million rise in pub lending during the first quarter of the year.

It has cited better quality properties as a key factor.

Compared to the first quarter of 2010, the company has doubled the number of public house properties for which it has provided new mortgages, representing an increase of more than £1 million in lending.

Roger Dewsbery, senior underwriter at Crystal Mortgages, said: “There are approximately 25 pubs shutting per week