Norfolk brewery warn some hospitality may have to close in winter
This comes after new plans have been unveiled and consultations launched to try and help our energy intensive businesses
Last updated 17th Aug 2022
A Norfolk brewery is warning that some of our pubs and restaurants may be forced to close this winter - unless they get help with rising energy prices now.
The call comes after Labour's recently unveiled cost of living support plan didn't include any specific help for small businesses, who don't have an energy price cap.
While the Government announced late last week that they currently considering how to support energy intensive industries, like steel, paper and glass.
"A small business like ours is now £23/26 thousand pounds worse off"
David Holliday is the co-owner of Moon Gazer which is based in Hindringham, near Fakenham.
He says these are desperate times: "Traditionally Government's don't intervene in the market and I get that- but to me this is an exception.
"No sane businessman or woman would have sat round their tables two years ago and said, 'what would we do if energy prices quadrupled'- it's not a conversation that you would have had, you wouldn't have foreseen it.
"We need something to soften the blow to allow us the time to re-adjust.
"There has been no help whatsoever since this started, for small businesses like ours. So, businesses have never had a cap on energy prices, we have been faced with a year-long spiralling energy crisis- that we are having to contend with.
"A small business like ours is now £23/26 thousand pounds worse off because we are funding extra energy."
"Energy costs are going to go even further through the roof"
He says that the worse is yet to come: "We are in the summer period at the moment- people are out, they are on holiday, they are spending money and the heating isn't on.
"But when you have to starting heating businesses and pubs, energy costs are going to go even further through the roof. I do feel for the hospitality sector and I do think we're hearing murmurings that lots of them through January and February may just mothball because it just might not to practical for them to open during those leaner periods."
"I think it more about clarity and consistency"
Mr Holliday says it makes sense to put a long-term strategy in place now: "I don't want handouts necessary- I think it more about clarity and consistency. I think it is more about us understanding as a business how we are suppose to plan.
"It would be nice if there were support or grants available to look at alternative energy sources, so if we were to reinvest to make ourselves less dependent on the national grid- what support is out there."