A LANDLORD has revealed energy bills at one of his pubs have risen by a staggering 233 per cent.

Piers Baker, who runs the Church Street Tavern in Colchester and The Sun Inn, Dedham, says all the profit his boozers make will be spent on keeping them afloat.

The Sun Inn has seen its energy bills skyrocket from £30,000 to £100,000 annually as venues battle to cling on ahead of impending support from the Government.

It comes after Prime Minister Liz Truss announced typical household energy bills could be capped at about £2,500 a year, with firms also likely to get some relief.

Gazette: Under pressure - The Sun InnUnder pressure - The Sun Inn (Image: Newsquest)

 

The recent increase in bills has been impacted by sharp hikes in wholesale gas prices largely due to reduced supplies of Russian gas due to the conflict in Ukraine.

“We will survive but we will not have any money to invest and we won’t make any profit,” said Mr Baker.

“It will potentially mean we have to cut back on some of our staffing numbers.

“It’s frustrating; it’s bad because we are in recovery mode from Covid and still carrying Covid debt.

Gazette: Pub - Church Street TavernPub - Church Street Tavern (Image: Newsquest)

“We would like to be in a better position but while sales are good, it has just been wiped out by our utility bill which is more than our rent and it shouldn’t be like this.”

Fears have been raised for other businesses across Colchester and north Essex as nervous anticipation surrounds the upcoming winter.

Last month, David Henley, of the iconic Henley’s Fish and Chips in Wivenhoe, told the Gazette the cost of most commodities the business needs have trebled.

Gazette: Revamped pub - The White Hart Inn, on Mersea IslandRevamped pub - The White Hart Inn, on Mersea Island (Image: Newsquest)

He added gas expenditures have also risen from £315 per month to £900.

“I know people who are shutting up for good and I feel really sorry for them,” continued Mr Baker, who opened his third pub, The White Hart Inn, on Mersea Island in June.

"We will keep pushing through here and I will not give up.

“The Government has said they are going to do something and so, for now, we will have to wait and see what happens here.”