PUBS in Brighton are fearing for their future as energy bills are expected to soar in the coming months.
As the cost-of-living crisis rages on, the energy cap rise for domestic customers in October is causing more worry for bars and nightlife venues who have no such limit.
Brewery bosses claim that bills could rise as much as 300 per cent over the next few months as other experts have suggested that seven out of ten pubs will not make it through the winter.
John Purchese, who runs The Quadrant in North Street, Brighton, said: “We have no energy cap with commercial business, which is terrifying. It’s all a perfect storm and outside of our own business utility crisis, the hospitality industry now has to scale what the knock-on effect will be for the customer.
“No business has a rainy day reserve pot post-pandemic to help weather these next few years. There has to be government intervention, and soon.
“We will try and limp through this, it may however be the final straw for us and many more businesses.”
Mr Purchese and other business owners are not only fearing for their own energy bills but are also contending with the knock-on effect that the energy price crisis will have on customers.
As millions are facing an 80 per cent rise in their energy bills in October, with more rises expected in the new year, there are worries that consumers will no longer be able to afford drinks or meals out.
Warren Carter, chairman of the Bevendean Community Pub in Moulsecoomb, said: “It’s already expensive, even though our beer is cheaper than a lot of places.
“We are always looking at saving money and we are going to keep our Bevy lager to £4 as long as possible.
“We need to make money but we want to support people so that they can enjoy life.”
Mr Carter also called for the government to take action to help pubs - such as introducing a commercial energy cap to help protect businesses from rising costs.
The Treasury has been approached for comment on the support measures being offered to pubs.
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