Responding to new figures out today showing how energy bills are driving closures across hospitality, Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association said:
“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.”
ENDS
For more information or to arrange an interview contact press@beerandpub.com / 020 7627 9199
Notes to editors:
About the British Beer & Pub Association
The BBPA represents UK companies which between them brew over 90% of the beer sold in the UK and own 20,000 pubs.
Our members include international companies, national and local brewers and pub businesses operating managed and tenanted pubs in cities, towns and villages across the country.
These businesses are at the heart of communities and local economies and include family businesses who have been brewing beer and running pubs for hundreds of years alongside emerging brewers and pub operators.
- The UK’s beer and pub industry supports close to 940,000 jobs
- The industry adds £26.2billion to the UK’s economy each year
Press release from the BBPA.
For more information or to arrange an interview contact press@beerandpub.com / 020 7627 9199