Pubs And Fish & Chip Shops Face Extinction Over Cost Of Living Crisis

Over 70% of British pubs say soaring energy prices will likely put them out of business this winter.

Following the release of a survey by the Morning Advertiser on Tuesday boozers have called for immediate government intervention, warning a once thriving cottage industry was now facing “grave uncertainty”.

Soaring energy bills aside the compound effect of a fall in sales as households seek to save money, shortages of equipment such as kegs, cans and CO₂ gas, and a poor hop harvest are also to blame.

Pubs aren’t the only iconic British cultural institution feeling the pressure with a large number of Fish and Chip shops staring extinction in the face too.

The BBC is reporting that the National Federation of Fish Friers is now calling for the government to help them with energy bills, whilst also cutting VAT so they can stay open. 

Chippy owners claim the cost of living crisis has seen people halt spending, making it economically unviable to run their restaurants – even more so than during the pandemic.

National Federation of Fish Friers President, Andrew Crook, said that 66% of shops had been forced to reduce opening hours in order to save cash.

“Unfortunately this is potentially an extinction event for small businesses. It’s like nothing we’ve ever seen before,” he said. 

A government spokesman said: “We are working closely with industry to mitigate the impact our sanctions against Russia may have on British businesses, including through the creation of the £100m UK Seafood Fund,”

“We’re already supporting businesses of all sizes by slashing fuel duty, introducing a 50% business rates relief for eligible high street businesses and put the brakes on bill increases by freezing the business rates multiplier – worth £4.6 billion over the next five years.”