Hospitality Energy Bills to Almost Double as Support Falls Away

Businesses expect an 82% rise in their energ y bills when the Government’s suppor t is significantly reduced in April, according to a new hospitality sector sur vey

Even before the suppor t ends, businesses expect a 101% increase in energ y bills this quar ter, compared to the same period last year according to the joint Q1 Hospitality Members Sur vey by UKHospitality the British Beer and Pub Association, the British Institute of Innkeeping and Hospitality Ulster

The star tling figures were raised directly with politicians today as UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls gave evidence to a BEIS Strateg y Committee session on energ y price suppor t

The sur vey also bolsters concerns raised by the sector about the behaviour of energ y suppliers inflating quotes, without justification, with 56% repor ting increased standing charges

The hike in bills is significantly affecting trading in the sector, with 42% of businesses reducing opening hours per day and 34% reducing the amount of days they open per week

In a joint statement the organisations said:

“Hospitality businesses and representatives have consistently warned that the exclusion of the sector from additional energ y suppor t means venues are facing unsustainable hikes in their energ y bills

“These sur vey results reinforce those warnings demonstrating the extent of this energ y devastation on venues with bills set to almost double as a result of suppor t significantly reducing Arriving on top of the 101% increase compared to this time last year the hit to the sector could not come at a worse time

“Despite continually raising the alarm over energ y suppliers’ unscrupulous behaviour during this crisis, we continue to see these companies relentlessly pursue excess profits at the expense of hard-working businesses and undermining the Government’s significant investment

“November demonstrated the role hospitality can play in delivering growth, even during tough times, but we need to see this recognised by Government action; by reigning in energ y suppliers and their poor conduct and unlocking hospitality’s potential in the Spring Budget

“The dramatic increases we are seeing in energ y prices shows the desperate need for suppor t and investment in hospitality, if our sector is to sur vive the current crisis and go on to deliver consistent economic growth, create jobs and reinvest in our local communities ”