Pub owners across Bracknell have said that they are ‘scared that they might have to make some difficult decisions’ this winter.

As the cost-of-living puts pressure on the UK economy, hospitality has taken a big hit with many pubs being forced to close.

The balance between breaking even as a business without causing too much of an impact on customers is a fine line when energy prices continue to rise.

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Shane Levey, owner of the Admiral Cunningham said: “For us it’s a constant challenge of not trying to impact the customer too much in terms of what they are paying for food and drink.

“We want to give as much value to the customer as we can but yes it’s difficult. It’s probably as hard as it’s ever been.”

With little support many independent pubs who don’t have the protection from a large franchise are said to be looking at slower trade this winter.

Levey added: “We try not to scale back on anything but granted we’re not actually in the winter yet so I would imagine we might have to look at it and make some decisions that we don’t really want to think about yet. That may be in terms of maybe shutting during the week.

“I think for now we just sit tight and hope for the best but of course it is a concern. It’s all about adapting with the times as quickly as we can.

“We had to do it during Covid so we’ll find a way now.”

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Jane Priestly , the general manager at The Cricketer’s pub in Warfield has said that ‘labour, food and electricity are going to be the three biggest factors for the industry going forward’.

As a Greene King metropolitan pub, The Cricketers have the benefit of having autonomy in their running with the support of the chain behind them.

Although slightly more protected this Winter, the business has been forced to adapt with new offers and affordable events to draw customers in.

Jane said: “In the winter we always scale back anyway but the company as a whole have been looking for a way to make it better for customers and more cost effective.

“We are finding that when people come out, they have a bigger customer experiences rather than just popping out for a meal, so we are trying to offer a better service in terms of entertainment.

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“People are much more cautious in what they spend but they still want to enjoy their life, so we’ll have to see when it comes to winter.”

Following reports about the staggering number of businesses being forced to close, the government has put in place an equivalent of the Energy Price Guarantee, to aid companies this Winter.

On Wednesday, September 21, Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg unveiled the new government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme to provide a discount on inflated gas and electricity prices for non-domestic customers.

This will run from October 1 2022 to March 2023 for an initial 6 month period.

Commenting on this scheme, Jane said: “It can only be a good thing especially in hospitality where the running costs are very power heavy. The scheme will definitely make life easier for a lot of people.”

“This is especially the case for smaller independent pubs. As a managed site I feel that we are slightly more protected compared to independents who have less back up and I feel may suffer more with tighter profits.”

 

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