Bars in West Yorkshire are facing rising energy prices leading many no choice but to increase prices in order to stay afloat.
This follows bars already closing throughout the area, as well as national pub chain Wetherspoons announcing the closure of more than 30 of their bars.
One pub feeling the pressure is Navigation Tavern in Mirfield, who’s gas prices have tripled in recent months, manager Harry Woolard states, “its been a massive increase that’s put pressure on the entire sector”
“from a financial point of view, we’re under a lot more pressure to maintain our margins and as a result we’ve had no choice but to increase our prices, more needs to be done to support small businesses.”
In some cases, drinks have risen 50p leading one customer, Amy Shaw, 21, to say “This adds a lot of pressure to young people, weekend drinks is escapism for a lot of people and to deal with these prices as well as everything else is hard.”
Kim Leadbeater, Labour MP for Batley and Spen commented saying, “The hospitality sector has been particularly hard hit. Bars and pubs often play a key part as a social hub in the community and it is very disturbing to hear of so many closing because of these increased costs.”
Leadbeater continued, “Labour would offer a long-term support package including a price freeze, reform of business rates and a strategy for revitalising high streets. And Labour would not pile all the cost on working people through higher borrowing, but would extend the windfall tax on the excess and unexpected profits of the energy companies.”
This follows The Yorkshire Bar & Kitchen in Huddersfield announcing closure three weeks ago.
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