TV sport fee hike ‘could pull the plug on struggling pubs’

HUNDREDS of hard-hit pubs could call time when Sky and BT Sport hike charges next April, protesters fear.

The pair, who show Premier League football, are each raising average fees by £600 a year.

The Sunday Mirror’s Support Your Pub campaign was launched because 18 shut a week due to rate rises and competition from supermarkets. Now British Pub Confederation chairman Greg Mulholland says the TV spike “can tip pubs over the edge”.

Sky and BT are raising charges by about five per cent after signing a £4.4billion deal with soccer chiefs.

Sky games costs pubs about £1,000 a month but many city bars pay far more because the price is based on rateable value.

Sky said: “We invest in top sport that helps our customers drive footfall and grow business.”