‘Business house owners are fighting power payments – that is one option to save’
After a successful trial, the government is extending an energy saving digital tool to hundreds more small and medium sized pubs, restaurants and hotels across the country, says Industry Minister Chris McDonald
Soaring energy costs have been among the many big pressures on pubs and others in hospitality(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Britain’s pubs and restaurants have always been at the heart of our communities.
I know how tough it is to operate in the hospitality industry, as we’ve seen business owners struggle with rising energy bills in recent years, thanks to our exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets.
This has driven up energy costs for businesses and households, with the ongoing situation in the Middle East demonstrating once again why the only way to ensure our energy security is to accelerate to clean, homegrown power that we control.
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That’s why this government has taken action including procuring record levels of solar, onshore and offshore wind projects alongside turbocharging nuclear development to get us off the rollercoaster of fossil fuels and bring down bills for good.
Alongside this, to directly support hospitality businesses impacted by the affordability crisis, we are supporting the rollout of an energy saving scheme to cut bills.
Now, over 525 pubs, restaurants and hotels will receive free support through an innovative new digital tool that will provide tailored, behaviour-led plans to each business to track and reduce their energy usage and emissions.
Already, this scheme has proven to be very effective, helping some hospitality businesses reduce their overnight energy consumption by up to 66% over the last year. That’s an average saving of nearly £2,500 per pub or café on their energy bill, equivalent to hundreds of pints.
For example, a small pub in Caterham in Surrey has saved over £1,500 a year by reducing its overnight energy use by 66%. Likewise, a pub in Bromley is saving £48 a week – that’s almost £2,500 of yearly profit no longer lost to energy waste.
Not only is this scheme cutting bills, but it is also reducing carbon emissions and protecting our planet – proof that net zero is not at odds with business, but can be a benefit.
By providing owners with the expertise to cut their energy use, owners can worry less about bills, and focus on what’s important – serving customers, and growing their business.
And when small businesses thrive, communities thrive too. It boosts local employment, and means people can continue to get together for a pint at their favourite pub or celebrate a birthday at their neighbourhood restaurant.
Today’s announcement builds on our commitment to protecting the hospitality sector.
This includes the 15% cut to business rates for pubs announced by the Chancellor in January, as well as a £10million package for the Hospitality Support Fund which will help support thousands of businesses.
This is what the government clean energy mission is all about – protecting businesses, families and communities across the country.
