Nearly three quarters of pub owners worry that they face closure later this year if no help is provided by the UK Government. According to a poll by pub industry magazine the Morning Advertiser, two thirds of landlords have seen their utility bills more than double.

A total of 30% of respondents reported a rise of 200%, while 8% reported increases of over 500%. Almost 8-% of pub operators revealed they could not afford the rise in energy costs.

One survey respondent said: “Proper support and intervention is needed by the Government. Even a 20% increase will be unaffordable, never mind 200%.”

Another added: “Action needs to be taken now to protect businesses. It was hard enough making it through COVID times, this is now absolutely ridiculous.”

Ed Bedington, editor of the Morning Advertiser, commented: “This crisis is being described a an “extinction event” for hospitality and that’s no exaggeration. Increases of this kind we’re seeing are total untenable and need to be addressed now, not in a few weeks time when the Conservatives pick a new leader.”