Pub landlords want Chancellor to extend aid on energy bills to stop boozers going bust

PUB landlords want the Chancellor to extend aid on energy bills to stop more boozers going bust.

They warn that many independent brewers will be forced to close if the support ends in April.

Jeremy Hunt is due to announce in the coming days whether the current scheme of capping energy costs will be kept.

The Campaign for Real Ale said many pubs face a “Christmas of uncertainty” without help.

Chairman Nik Antona said: “If we are to make sure breweries can survive and thrive, the Government needs to give brewing and pub and club businesses certainty and make key announcements about ongoing energy bill support and freezing general beer duty as soon as possible.”

Labour MP Charlotte Nichols MP, chair of the all-party parliamentary pub group, added: “With pubs and other hospitality businesses facing a cliff edge in support for a crisis that will last long beyond April, it’s vital that Government give the trade some certainty over the festive period.”

Hospitality firms are also being hit by crippling strikes throughout their golden festive period.

UK Hospitality estimated the action to leave the industry £1.5billion short.