Bristol publicans are worried that spiralling energy costs will have a negative effect on their businesses. As Ofgem confirms domestic bills could rise by around 80 per cent, local landlords have responded with more or less concern about even bigger hikes within their sector.
Unlike household power bills, those faced by businesses are not capped by Ofgem and could therefore rise by an unlimited amount. Trade publication the Morning Advertiser has reported jumps of up to five times in some cases.
A national survey by the same periodical found that most publicans expect to close for good without urgent government action on energy costs, which are affecting ale producers as well as ale houses. A survey of local pubs by Bristol Live found similar concerns here.
