Pubs and brewers in Wiltshire face quadrupled energy prices

Bosses of six of the UK’s biggest pub and brewing companies have signed an open letter to the Government urging it to act in order to avoid “real and serious irreversible” damage to the sector.

And locally there are major issues. Martin Strawbridge, 43, owner of Downton Brewery, said his energy unit prices are set to “more than quadruple in six months”.

The cost will go from 15p to 67p per kilowatt hour, a “significant increase that cannot be absorbed without increasing prices”. He added: “The knock-on effect is increasing the cost of beer to pubs. Pubs are already struggling with their own energy bill increases and they will have to put their prices up.

“Everything exacerbated by the cost of living crisis is hastening the demise of the pub industry.”

Martin Strawbridge, owner of Downton Brewery. Picture by Ash Mills.

Mr Strawbridge feels as though he is “stuck in a vicious circle”, adding: “Pubs will close, there will be fewer people buying the brewery’s beer, and it’s irrelevant how much you put your prices up because there’s going to be less of it sold anyway.”

The small brewery had to increase prices earlier this year because of increased raw material costs.

“We’ve been in a constant state of flux due to Covid and the cost of living, it just seems to be one thing after another.

'Death of a thousand cuts' for pubs

“The pub industry was suffering the death of a thousand cuts as it was and, unless things change, that is going to be hastened.

“Smaller breweries will suffer just as much as the larger ones, but they haven’t got the same lobbying clout to scream and shout about it.”

Amanda Newbery from the Duke of York public house and Brown Street venue said: “Lots of pubs are feeling the squeeze. Our electricity costs have now increased 2.5 times.

“We have to pay £2,000 each month just for electricity and are now taking meter readings every month. We have only just paid £5000 in a lump sum and that’s without gas.

“We signed up for a deal, but the energy company cancelled it. Some are not taking on hospitality accounts in case they go bust.”

Brown Street.

Amanda added: “We are lucky that we are freehold, and we can buy together and shop around. The thing that worries me the most is for those who live above pubs as they could be made homeless as they cannot benefit from a cap on electricity. Something has to be done for us.”

Reece Brown, of the Royal George in Bedwin Street said: “I don’t want to have to put up the prices.

“I want to keep it affordable for our customers but then, it affects me. I don’t want to lose staff or have to reduce hours.”

“I have been here for 3 years, and prices are going up. But I don’t want customers to feel cold, and some are elderly. They need to stay warm. I am trying to reduce costs by not putting everything on such as all of the lights.”

Are you a business owner who will be affected by the utility price rises? Get in touch by emailing newsdesk@salisburyjournal.co.uk.

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