‘Costs could force pub landlords out of business’

FEARS have been raised that high energy costs could force some pubs to close.

Landlord of The Priory public house in Abbots Road, Leek, Barry Birch, has seen his premise’s monthly electricity bill double in price.

Other increases including cooking oil, to the cost of emptying of commercial bins have also risen.

Mr Birch said: “Our electricity bill was just over £1,000 per month, this has now increased to £2,300 a month. Our gas bill is now £800 a month, making a total of £3,100 a month.

“A lot of pubs and businesses will be in trouble if the government does not offer any help.

“Everything that you touch has gone up, even crisps. There has also been a steep increase in the cost of cooking oil.

“We also received a bill last week from the Motion Pictures Licensing Company Ltd, who told us that we have to have a licence to show pictures on television. This is at a cost of £257 a year. This is beside the television licence fee.

“Even our commercial bins collection has gone up. You can’t absorb all these big increases, people only have so much money as they are having to tighten their belts because of the high cost of living increases.

“I can see the high costs forcing some landlords out of business. These increases are at a time when we are just coming out of the pandemic.

“A lot of businesses and people living in residential homes must be in a similar position. I have talked to other landlords and they are ready to leave if the situation does not improve. The hospitality business has taken a big hit during the pandemic.”

Each week Mr Birch and his team deliver more than 30 cooked meals to pensioners and disabled people every Wednesday and Sunday lunch times.

Barry, pictured abvove, said: “This is a community pub run by the family. We are looking at staging more events including parties and meals. We have just signed a five year lease.

“We have been delivering meals throughout the pandemic as it helps people in need and at the same time helps the pub.

“We are also staging bingo nights on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sundays.

“I have been in the trade for 50 years, but I have never seen it like this before.”