The owner of a popular country pub has said he fears for its future after receiving an eye-watering monthly energy bill of almost £5k for December. Andrew Jenkins, who owns the Horseshoe Inn in Crickhowell - which is listed and dates back to the early 19th century - added that he's now considering closing the family-run watering hole and B&B for four months of the year if costs continue to rise.
"I've had The 'Shoe for six years and it's a great place, with lovely locals and the beautiful Brecon Beacons surrounding it," said the 60-year-old. "But the last few months have seen energy prices creeping up to about £3.5K a month.
"To get a bill for nearly £5k for December though was a real bolt from the blue. Yes, Christmas was a busy time, but this bill has wiped out anything we may have managed to earn over the festive period."
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To make matters even worse, Andrew added that the energy costs for the same month last year were almost a fifth of that total. "The bill for December 2021 was £1.3k - now you tell me the difference isn't staggering."
He added that having already pared back the running of the pub "down to the wood," he's now at a loss about how to make further money-saving cuts. "I've tried everything - turning the cooling system off, only switching on the lights we really need, heating as much of the place as possible with a log burner.
"But the wood alone to keep that going is costing me £500 a month, so what can I do? Most days we might just have a dozen locals in here, and if it's costing £150 a day in gas and electricity then I'm not even covering the wages of my staff.
"So God knows how those who also pay astronomical rent on their pubs manage to stay afloat. For example, I went into my local in Abergavenny the other day and the person running that told me she's just handed in her notice.
"She told me, 'Andrew, I feel like I'm working just to pay off the energy company'. And lots of people I know who run boozers as saying the same - everyone's struggling."
Andrew said that he's started following the lead of other pubs by only opening on certain days. "Some of my landlord mates aren't opening up on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesday anymore in an attempt to keep the bills down.
"We've dropped down to six days a week and our opening hours have shrunk from noon 'til midnight to 2pm 'til 12am. The way it's going I'll have to close up this December and open back up in April next year, which is when the B&B side of things start to pick up with walkers from all over coming to visit the Beacons.
"It really makes me angry to have to even consider that though. I've four good members of staff who I feel responsible for and locals who help keep this place going - some even offered to do a whip round towards the bill." Indeed, when Andrew posted a photo of the charges on his Facebook page hundreds rushed to voice their support.
"Absolutely criminal," wrote one, while another added, "Bonkers - more and more businesses will go belly up if this continues." And the owners of The Castle Inn in nearby Llangorse commented, "We understand your pain - we are open less than ever and still we pay more."
However, Andrew added that the inevitable conclusion would be to eventually shut up shop altogether. "I've another business, a general building firm, which is currently helping to prop up this one. I just don't know how much longer I can go on for.
"Plus, as it's a listed building, I doubt I'd be able to get consent to change its use. Which only leaves me the option of mothballing it - it's a real shame."
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