The landlord of a pub in Bridgend has taken to pinning up its energy bills behind the bar to show customers why they're having to pay more for their drinks. Michelle Knight has been forced to increase the price on a pint of draught by up to 40p at The Six Bells in Coity to keep on top of rising costs.
She's also halved the number of ales and ciders available in the hope that fewer barrels on the go in the cellar will mean that the pub's cooling system won't have to work as hard. Christmas parties are another thing that's been declared 'off the menu' for 2022.
Michelle claimed that, with her bills having leapt from £1,313 to £3,404 since October 2021, the drastic measures are her only hope in trying to keep the place afloat. "I've got to do it for the longevity of the pub," said the 48-year-old, who took over The Six Bells from her stepmother and father in April 2018.
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"I'd rather go into the winter knowing what I know now - have minimum staff and fewer products - and try to drip feed through," she told the BBC. "I don't want to restrict things, but our customers would prefer having a smaller choice and the pub still being here come the New Year, as opposed to having a larger choice and it being closed."
However, the punters have far from given her decision their unanimous backing. "They're shocked, saying, 'It must be wrong'.
"But I've just told them that because of the electricity bills that's how much it's got to be. I've had people saying they wont be able to come here anymore or wont be able to come as often or drink as much," she added.
If necessary Michelle said she'd even resort to only selling cans and bottles this winter. "Even if I shut the cellar off and do cans and bottles, I'll still keep the pub open.
"And this pub isn't particularly big. There are others the area much bigger than mine that must be going through the same sort of thing."
She also claimed that, despite the UK Government vowing to help businesses' energy costs via the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, business rates relief and a £2.4bn fuel duty cut - not to mention small business protection from a 2023 rise in corporation tax - support had been 'a big grey area'. "I can't find out from my utility suppliers what my discount looks like, so how can you plan ahead when you don't know what you're getting?" asked Michelle.
She added that people need to all they can to help local pubs, which are the hub of many communities, stay afloat in in increasingly tough times. "We rely on our regulars to keep us ticking along, so please just keep coming and supporting." said Michelle.
A spokesperson for the government added, "A Treasury-led review will consider how to support businesses from April 2023, targeting taxpayer's money to the most vulnerable."
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