In an effort to reduce their skyrocketing energy costs, pubs are resorting to desperate measures. One in Cornwall even turned out all of its lights and replaced them with candles.
The high expenses of operating a bar are causing venues to claim that they are fighting to survive, but some have found innovative methods to do so.
To increase business while reducing expenses, The Masons Arms in Camelford, Cornwall, has gone so far as to only burn candles on Mondays.
Kate Chawner-Woods, a landlady, has been stretched to the breaking point by soaring energy costs; her August statement went from an average of £700 in 2018 to almost £3,000 this year.
When she read the power bill, she said, “How are we going to manage?”
We were quite concerned about how this winter would turn out since there has been a significant rise in the cost of living; at this point, our power bill barely covers our rent.
Ms. Chawner-Woods came up with the concept of candlelight Mondays after overhearing a local patron make an off-hand remark.
One of the locals encouraged her to just turn the lights off and return to the way things used to be as she was wailing and swearing after paying the bill.
In response, we have returned to utilizing just candles on Mondays, just as we did when the tavern first opened in 1753.
“We turn out all the lights at 6 o’clock because people really appreciate it. Last Monday, we had 65 covers, which is far more than we typically have on a Monday in October.
Everyone seems to like the environment; it is romantic and people tend to chat to one another more, which is very beautiful.
It is too early to tell how much money their new plan will save them, but Ms. Chawner-Woods anticipates that despite it being winter, their next payment will be 4% lower.
They have also reduced the number of refrigerators and freezers, switched all of their lightbulbs to LEDs, and stopped using electric heaters throughout the winter.
We don’t need the heating as much because of the warmth of the candles, according to Ms. Chawner-Woods.
It was warm in here last month, so if demand persists, we’d want to schedule it for another weekday.
Because going to the pub is such an integral part of some of our residents’ lives, it is crucial that we do this.
Everyone is struggling right now; companies aren’t the only ones that are struggling.
Because it could be less expensive than heating their own houses, we want people to be able to visit the pub and relax for a while.
The Cornish pub is hardly the only establishment fighting to stay open in the face of rising living expenses.
South West London’s The Angel and Crown said that it is now dealing with its largest financial difficulty in its 400-year existence.
The bar has made the decision to utilize candles in the evenings, dim the lights during the day, and avoid using the heating by keeping the fireplace lit.
Owner and manager Hannah Lawson stated: “Unfortunately, we’ve had to raise all of our pricing as a result of a 25% rise in our costs.
Customers have observed that we haven’t been allowed to turn on the lights, but in some ways the candles have created a pleasant environment.
People may not be able to afford to go out right now, and hospitality is being neglected. Going out is seen as a luxury.
People work so hard, and the last few years have been awful, so they should be allowed to enjoy going out and doing beautiful things without wondering whether they can eat.
Ms. Lawson said that in order to remain open, they had to hike food costs and add at least 30p to the price of pints.
Additionally, they have been forced to shut early on slow evenings, and they are considering altering their opening times.
It’s going to get to the point where we have to keep raising our rates until they become unaffordable, according to Ms. Lawson.
Some of our regular customers have already stopped visiting because they are unable to continue making the payments.
“I really hope that pubs continue to exist for everyone, since for some individuals, it may be the only talk they have that day. There is much more to it than simply going out for a pint.
I hope it passes much more quickly than we think and that things return to normal.
Other bars said that they were closing on a few weeknights to save expenses.
Due to “spiraling expenses,” the White Hart Inn in Ludgvan, Cornwall, closes on Mondays and Tuesdays “until further notice.” This announcement was made last week. in the midst of the present energy crisis.
The St John Inn near Torpoint’s owners, Gill and Rob Berry, stated they only opened four days a week to save costs on labor and power.
Campaign for Real Ale Kernow’s Doug Polman expressed his concern as being “extremely anxious.”
We don’t yet know how much of a benefit this most recent mini-budget has been.
We must support our local establishments or we risk losing them.