South Yorkshire landlords admit upcoming spring budget could be 'make or break'
We've been speaking to Nick Simmonite from the Frog & Parrot in Sheffield about the pressure they're under right now
Pub landlords in South Yorkshire admit the cost of business right now 'isn't sustainable'-ahead of the government's spring budget later this month.
The sector is under growing pressure due to the impact of rising energy costs-with many in local hospitality now having to charge more than 5 pounds for a pint of beer.
Nick Simmonite-who owns the Frog & Parrot pub in Sheffield city centre-says he's nearly at that point:
"Pubs, social clubs, nightclubs and restaurants just cannot keep pace with the rising utility costs and the costs of doing business.
"We'll break the £5 mark easily, fairly soon, and that's going to be a challenge.
"There's only so far you can push the price of a pint up though.
"In Sheffield, some pints are priced between £5-£6, while a few of the more specialist beers are as high as £9-£10.
"The help we're getting with energy bills really does need to continue until next year.
"If we can tackle the issue of business rates, and continue some form of business rate relief, then that would certainly be welcome.
"Beer duty really needs to come down to give us a chance to compete with supermarkets.
"A 20% cut in that duty would enormously help, and enormously help the price of a pint over the bar."
Jeremy Hunt's due to deliver his second fiscal statement of his time as Chancellor in Parliament on Wednesday 15th March.