Nearly 400 pubs in England and Wales closed in 2022 - and Notts pubs didn't escape unscathed. The Yew Tree in Hucknall and the Hand & Heart are two where the doors are locked.
With no end in site to the hardships of last year regarding energy prices and the cost of living crisis, Nottinghamshire Live asked pub owners, members of CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) and the Chamber of Commerce for their thoughts on what the year ahead holds.
Richard Moore, who owns three pubs, has "very mixed feelings." He said business had been good since the pandemic for his pubs, The Stage and Vibes in Nottingham, and The Barge in Long Eaton.
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"The biggest concerns about the next few months is obviously the rise in energy costs, but it is what it is. One thing I've noticed in my lifetime, including myself, is that everybody always finds money for beer, cigarettes and holidays. My personal plan to get through this year, is to carry on regardless, and do what I love doing the most, which is working hard and carry on expanding."
The Pub People Company operates more than 40 pubs including Six Barrel Drafthouse in Nottingham, the Hop Pole in Chilwell and Dukeries Lodge in Edwinstowe. Managing director Andrew Crawford is confident that well-run pubs will thrive, adding that maintaining customer loyalty is imperative.
He said: "Pubs have generally proven to be very resilient businesses and I am confident that they will continue to be so. It is well documented that many pubs have closed over recent years, but more have remained open and with intelligent management have thrived when other retail sectors have struggled.
"Operators in 2023 will have to focus not only on the demands of the customer but also the details in ensuring they operate a profitable and cash generating business. The management of profit margins, business rates, utility costs, wages etc will be critical in ensuring a better understanding of the business's operating model.
"Customers may well be making different choices as to how they spend disposable income, so they must be confident that the pub is giving them good value and a strong visiting experience. Operators will have to keep reviewing that they are consistently achieving this in order to maintain customer loyalty.
"There is no doubt that 2023 will be a difficult year for many businesses, especially those in retail and hospitality, but as with other challenging years, the stronger operators will navigate a path through, capitalising on opportunities and maintaining successful businesses."
CAMRA members said drinkers and the Government both needed to do their bit to help pubs survive. Steve Westby, chairman of Nottingham CAMRA, said: "Unfortunately the new year is inevitably going to continue where the old one left off for our pubs, with significantly increased energy and other costs as well as staff shortages.
"This does give concerns over the possible loss of yet more of our dwindling number of pubs. As customers, it is important that we give them as much support as possible and hope that the current cost trends take a turn for the better."
Andrew Ludlow, Nottingham CAMRA secretary, added: "The hospitability sector has been badly hit firstly by two years of lockdown and now facing extremely high energy costs and customers hit by a cost of living crisis. Pubs desperately need some support from the government in order to survive or 2023 could be a bleak year with numerous pubs shutting."
East Midlands Chamber reported lingering concerns over how the cost of living crisis and an impending recession will affect industries including hospitality, but added that green shoots of recovery were evident going into 2023.
Chief executive Scott Knowles said: “After being in the crosshairs of the pandemic and its direct impact over the best part of two years, 2022 wasn’t much easier for pubs, bars and restaurants due to a cost-of-doing-business crisis driven by price rises in energy, supplies and other overheads.
“A winter World Cup will have eased some of these pressures by driving huge footfall and these businesses will now hope the shared experiences people have enjoyed with friends and family over the past few months will entice them back in the new year.
“Underlying data in the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey showed a slight upturn in business confidence at the end of last year and a continuation of this trend is critical if firms are going to invest in their people, premises and equipment in order to grow.
“Businesses across all sectors undoubtedly going through difficult times but there is relative optimism for what lies ahead in the long term. “What is beyond doubt is the crucial role that pubs, bars and restaurants will play in Nottinghamshire’s economy as they are a magnet for people from all walks of life to spend their time and money, so it’s important we all support them where we can.”
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