The CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association has just responded to new figures out today showing how energy bills are driving closures across hospitality,
Emma McClarkin commented,, “The energy crisis is an existential threat to our pubs. These figures show how out of control costs and suppliers are. They are decimating hospitality and destroying the places we love.
“After multiple lockdowns we thought we’d come through the worst time , but eye-watering energy bills have gone beyond that in terms of pushing publicans to breaking point. This crisis is forcing people to give up their businesses, and in some cases, their homes as well if they live above their pub.
“If the Government won’t reconsider increasing energy support for businesses beyond April it must crackdown on the suppliers who are taking advantage of the market and introduce longer-term support for our sector by lowering the unfair tax burden on pubs and brewers.
'Failure to intervene now will only help this trend of closures to continue with hundreds, if not thousands, more pubs lost in communities in every neighbourhood across the country,” concluded Emma.