A Cumbrian pub boss has branded new measures to support businesses with energy bills as a ‘sticking plaster’ for a larger problem.
Chris Moss, a director of Westmorland Hospitality, which runs Ye Olde Fleece Inn in Kendal, has spoken out following Liz Truss’ latest energy announcement.
The announcement has been criticised across the UK and Chris said the six-month scheme was not enough – he added that forecasting business plans for the year ahead without knowing what exact financial support they will have access to would be next to impossible.
He added: “It is a real disappointment to have to wait to find out what they’re going to do. The key to business is to plan and project and we have no idea how much energy will cost past November, we need real action from the Government now.
“This issue is going to last more than six months, the current support they’ve announced is not convenient, it is a sticking plaster.”
The pub’s annual bill skyrocketed from £44,000 a year to £124,000 – an eyewatering increase of £80,000 following Ofgem’s energy price cap rise.
Chris said that despite the announcement, he continued to feel concerned for the future and for the wider hospitality sector until further details were announced.
He said: “If something doesn’t happen quickly, the country will have no pubs. The staff just want a pay rise but we can’t do anything like that until we know what is happening.
“We are still reviewing everything to make cuts to our energy usage, everything from menus to staffing and opening hours, everything is still up in the air until we know exactly what is happening.”
A government spokesman said further details of the business support scheme will be announced later this week.
He added the plans were set to help businesses with October bills and would be backdated if the implementation is delayed.
