More than 70% of UK pubs could close this winter over ‘grave’ cost of living uncertainty
More than half of the UK’s pubs could be forced into closure this winter due to relentless rising energy prices unless something is done to help them.
According to research from Morning Advertiser, 70% of public house operators weren’t confident of surviving the winter without the government stepping in.
They say that unless something is done, almost three-quarters of the nation’s boozers could be calling last orders permanently.
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Utility bills had swollen by 100% according to 65% of respondents to the survey, while a further 30% said theirs had gone up by 200%.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) has since called on the government to step in and solve the mass extinction before it is too late.
Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi was sent a letter from SIBA and the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), asking the government to do something.
Part of the letter says: “We have entered one of the most challenging times for the brewing sector. Small brewers are reporting that their energy bills are doubling or trebling, putting their future ability to brew at risk.”
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Managing director of small pub chain Frisco Group, Heath Ball, told the Advertiser that a “doomsday scenario” was on the horizon.
He said: “This energy bill crisis comes on the back of the most testing of times as businesses try to recover from the Covid crisis and I think it poses an even greater threat to the survival of pubs.”
CAMRA chairman Nik Antona said: “Pubsgoers and beer drinkers want to see urgent action from government to make sure that the UK’s best beers, brands and breweries can survive these unprecedented times of rocketing energy and ingredient costs and a dip in consumer confidence.
“With businesses having pulled out all the stops to make it through the pandemic, it would be a travesty if more of our local, small and independent breweries were forced to close for good now due to the crisis with the cost of energy, goods, and doing business.”
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