Two days per week, a pub will be closed due to rising energy expenses and sluggish business, according to the establishment’s proprietor.
Gareth Hughes-Williams, proprietor of the George Inn in Plympton, Plymouth, Devon, reports sales at 70% of pre-pandemic levels and will open on Mondays and Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m.
“Weekday lunchtimes have always been a little slow, and right now it definitely costs more to open than we earn,” he said.
Prime Minister Liz Truss has said that a typical household’s annual energy bills will not exceed £2,500 per year under ‘bold’ new initiatives to combat skyrocketing prices that will take effect next month.
During the winter months, businesses, schools, and hospitals will receive equal assistance under a six-month program.
However, landlord Gareth believes this is insufficient.
Gareth Hughes-Williams, proprietor of the George Inn Plympton in Plymouth, Devon, reports 70% of pre-pandemic volume.
Energy costs and slow business, according to Gareth, require him to close the bar two days per week.
The pub’s gas prices would increase from £10,000 per year to £55,000 per year, resulting in a whopping £90,000 energy bill.
‘They should examine company rates and consider a VAT reduction similar to what they did during the epidemic, as 20% of everything we sell goes directly to the government each quarter,’ he said.
When discretionary spending decreases, the last thing on a person’s mind is going to a bar and ordering a great meal.
The plan of the prime minister, which is funded by borrowing tens of billions of pounds, will save the average household around £1,000 and shield them from further anticipated price increases in the following months.
Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, praised the package but stressed that the proposal “does not come cheap” and cautioned that “the working class will pay the bill.”
Andrew Turner, chief operating officer of St. Austell Brewery, reported last month that he had heard from one renter whose energy expenses had increased by more than 400% in the past week.
Prime Minister Liz Truss has unveiled ‘bold’ new price control prices that will be implemented next month.
He told Sky News, “Unlike consumers, there is no energy price restriction for small enterprises, therefore our tenants, pubs, and brewers are facing spiraling rates.”
It is completely eradicating their profits, which begs the issue of why on earth they would continue to operate.
Nick Mackenzie, chief executive officer of the 2,700-strong Greene King pub business, stated that one tenant’s annual energy bill increased by £33,000.
He stated, “Without immediate government intervention to support the sector, we could face the possibility of pubs being unable to pay their bills, jobs being lost, and beloved locals across the country being forced to close their doors, meaning all the good work done to keep pubs open during the pandemic could be in vain.”
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