Sitting in the barren garden of the pub, which until recently hosted theater and quiz nights, a conker league and customers on bike tours, along with many regulars, Furey said the huge energy bill was the last straw in a pile of difficulties weighing on at the pub. Rising rent, higher staff costs and more competition for his eight hotel rooms from the Airbnb boom in downtown properties have all weighed on him. “It’s a perfect storm that’s going to force a lot of people to shut down,” he said. Brian Furey, former owner of the Gillygate pub, was forced to close in July. Photo: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian In the heart of York, close to its famous minster, Petergate is home to an eclectic mix of business streets including many pubs and restaurants, jewellers, independent clothing retailers, bookshops, a carpet shop and beauty salons. Now many are wondering how they will get by this winter. Rising energy bills are just the latest blow on top of rising supplier and delivery charges, rising staff costs and key worker shortages, partly caused by Brexit. Meanwhile, trade is expected to fall when customers’ winter energy bills hit the mat. Tempt, a vegan chocolate shop, closed its doors last month, while a small jewelry store also closed. Emma Mellor’s shop Handmade Rugs is struggling with high delivery charges and worries her customers will cut back on spending when their bills rise. In one of the bookstores, there are concerns about the passing of trade as the energy bill is largely limited to lighting costs. Jax Barber’s Mark Snowden said he just received a new energy bill that was 300% higher than the previous one. “I’ve been in the business for 40 years and this is the hardest it’s ever been,” he said. He added: “It’s a very grim situation. Covid started it. I lost all my office workers as they are now working from home and the elderly, who now don’t have the courage to go out. I lost 30% to 40% of my business and now we have it [big bill increase].” Rebecca Hill, managing director of the Galtres Lodge Hotel and Forest Restaurant in Petergate, has a fixed contract for energy bills until next year, but is already nervous about the future as the bills at her other business in nearby Ripon are running out of time. . -The long-term energy deal has been “astronomically since the start of the year” – more than 20 times the rate it pays in York. Jax Barber’s Mark Snowden recently received an energy bill that was 300% higher than the previous one. Photo: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian Hill has put plans to convert the Ripon site from an event venue to a year-round hotel on hold and is considering whether to close between January and March, when bills are higher and revenue is likely to be lower. In York, it is considering closing on Mondays to cut costs, partly because of difficulties in recruiting staff and to cover its off-peak exits. “Consumer confidence and spending is the biggest thing I’m worried about,” he said. “The restaurant is still busy during core hours – lunch and dinner – but it’s in between. People don’t go out for afternoon tea or drinks before dinner. We’re seeing cool add-ons on the decline.” Kerry Elstob, owner of Just Smile Designs, which sells homemade cards, printed mugs, children’s clothing and other crafts, has a three-year deal on her energy bill until next year, but worries about a possible rent increase as her lease expires . up for renewal next month and several nearby businesses have seen rents double. “If my rent goes up, I might just go online,” he said. “I’m worried. This is tougher than during the lockdown, because then we got help and there was talk of help before it started. Now there’s no talk of help.”
