Average price of a pint in Norfolk could climb to over £7
It's because the prices of key ingredients and energy are continuing to rise
The average price we pay for a pint at the pub could soon climb to over £7 in Norfolk.
It's as the cost of key ingredients, including wheat and barley continue to climb, due to the war in Ukraine.
Similarly, carbon dioxide now costs 3,000% more than it did this time last year.
This comes whilst energy prices continue to soar, with no price cap or 'energy guarantee' in place for businesses.
"Give us a reduction in VAT, in hospitality"
Paul Grothier is the owner of The Cross Keys Dilham pub in North Walsham.
He told us what the new PM needs to do:
"If he reduces VAT that would help us and sort the energy situation out. Then the economy starts moving, we start moving again. Don't be putting things like grants in, reduce VAT on food and drink, then sort the energy prices out. Why are BT, Shell and the other oil and gas companies making record profits right now?"
"Give us a reduction in VAT, in hospitality- that's the way. If not, we 're done and let us turn our buildings into houses then we can all walk away. But, at this time we can't do that".
"My energy prices have gone up three or four times. It's not a 50% rise, it's a 200% rise- that's not right. I don't think they the oil and gas companies are being fair because they are earning enough money. They the government either need to tax these companies or they need to do something for the small businesses like ours".
"Things are getting worse"
Mr Grothier says they are seeing less people come through the door:
"We have definitely seen it drop, but we are Broads pub so it's this time of year that we expect it to go down, but things are getting worse. Our costs are only going up and our footfall is going down. So, something has got to give at some stage, and I can't see businesses like us surviving much longer unless the Government step in".
What have the Government said about all this?
The Government say their 'Energy Bill Relief Scheme' provides businesses with a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices.