Once the heart of social life in the United Kingdom, pubs are now facing an uncertain future as rising costs make pint prices soar across London. What was once an affordable routine—pub hopping—is becoming rare, especially among younger crowds. Pub owners warn that if trends continue, the city risks losing a key part of its cultural identity, where commerce and community have long met over a simple pint.


London’s Pub Culture Under Threat as Rising Prices Keep Young Drinkers Away 

As UK is bearing the brunt of inflation, pubs across the country might be forced to close this winter due to soaring energy costs. Pub owners in UK are finding it difficult to run their businesses with energy costs up by as much as 300%.

UK pubs fear closure over rising energy costs, businesses urge for price cap

Thousands of British pubs fear they could be driven out of business. Soaring energy bills have broken the back of these establishments. Pub owners are now demanding urgent state support. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: British Pubs brace for mass closures

A rapid increase in energy prices could force British pubs to close. Leading representatives from the industry have requested the government to take action. As part of the cost-of-living crisis, six of the biggest pub and brew companies in the country have reported that certain pubs have seen a more than threefold increase in bills this year.

The British Beer and Pub Association warned that if nothing is done in the case of rising energy prices brought on by an increase in wholesale pricing, a shortage of supply due to the Ukraine war might harm the sector.

Last week, Ofgem announced that gas and electricity rates for a family will rise by 80 per cent&nbsp;in October.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-energy-regulator-blames-russia-for-80-per-cent-price-hike-510373">Also read |&nbsp;British energy regulator blames Russia for 80 per cent price hike</a>

AFP reported that William Jones, director of JW Lees Pub, said, "We have publicans who are experiencing 300 percent-plus increases in energy costs and some energy companies are refusing to even quote for supply." He further said that there are few tenants giving the pub group notice due to their businesses being unable to afford electricity at the current price.

Another executive of Greene Group said that they experienced an increase of £33,000 ($38,600) in energy costs this year.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/citi-warns-uk-inflation-to-hit-18-as-energy-bills-rocket-509146">Also read |&nbsp;Citi warns UK inflation to hit 18% as energy bills rocket</a>

In an open letter to the government, Greene King, JW Lees, Carlsberg Marston’s, Admiral Taverns, Drake &amp; Morgan, and St Austell Brewery urged the government to expand the cap to business. Nearly 750 businesses signed the open letter warning of rising prices, staffing shortages, and supply chain issues.

Pubs, which have been a cornerstone of British social life, have had a difficult time due to Covid pandemic.

Inflation has reached a 40-year high in Britain due to the country’s high cost of living.

The country has witnessed several strikes by workers over salary for not being able to keep up with the prices.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A rapid increase in energy prices could force British pubs to close. Leading representatives from the industry have requested the government to take action. As part of the cost-of-living crisis, six of the biggest pub and brew companies in the country have reported that certain pubs have seen a more than threefold increase in bills this year.

A rapid increase in energy prices could force British pubs to close. Leading representatives from the industry have requested the government to take action. As part of the cost-of-living crisis, six of the biggest pub and brew companies in the country have reported that certain pubs have seen a more than threefold increase in bills this year. The British Beer and Pub Association warned that if nothing is done in the case of rising energy prices brought on by an increase in wholesale pricing, a shortage of supply due to the Ukraine war might harm the sector. Last week, Ofgem announced that gas and electricity rates for a family will rise by 80 per cent in October. Also read | British energy regulator blames Russia for 80 per cent price hike AFP reported that William Jones, director of JW Lees Pub, said, "We have publicans who are experiencing 300 percent-plus increases in energy costs and some energy companies are refusing to even quote for supply." He further said that there are few tenants giving the pub group notice due to their businesses being unable to afford electricity at the current price. Another executive of Greene Group said that they experienced an increase of £33,000 ($38,600) in energy costs this year. Also read | Citi warns UK inflation to hit 18% as energy bills rocket In an open letter to the government, Greene King, JW Lees, Carlsberg Marston’s, Admiral Taverns, Drake & Morgan, and St Austell Brewery urged the government to expand the cap to business. Nearly 750 businesses signed the open letter warning of rising prices, staffing shortages, and supply chain issues. Pubs, which have been a cornerstone of British social life, have had a difficult time due to Covid pandemic. Inflation has reached a 40-year high in Britain due to the country’s high cost of living. The country has witnessed several strikes by workers over salary for not being able to keep up with the prices. (With inputs from agencies)

Rising energy prices could force British pubs to shut, businesses urge government to take action

UK's National Police Chiefs’ Council said on Friday that almost 200 cases of drink spiking were reported to police forces across UK over past two months.&nbsp;

The council said that there were 198 confirmed cases of drink spiking. The cases included men and women but most of them involved young women.

Earlier, a figure of 140 was reported but it was revised after receiving more data.

NPCC said that the figure of 198 was arrived at on the basis of the data received from 40 police forces.

“We are working at pace with forces, law enforcement agencies such as the NCA [National Crime Agency] and other partners including the Home Office and universities to understand the scale of offending, establish any links between the allegations and ultimately bring any identified offenders to justice.” deputy chief constable Jason Harwin was quoted by The Guardian as saying.

Longstanding fears about the safety of women in public places have also come under renewed focus after the high-profile murder of a London woman by a rogue police officer earlier this year.

Students in dozens of university towns and cities have responded with plans to boycott nightlife venues&nbsp;

More than 163,000 have signed a petition urging the government to make it compulsory for nightclubs to thoroughly search guests on entry.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

UK's National Police Chiefs’ Council said on Friday that almost 200 cases of drink spiking were reported to police forces across UK over past two months. The council said that there were 198 confirmed cases of drink spiking.

UK's National Police Chiefs’ Council said on Friday that almost 200 cases of drink spiking were reported to police forces across UK over past two months. The council said that there were 198 confirmed cases of drink spiking. The cases included men and women but most of them involved young women. Earlier, a figure of 140 was reported but it was revised after receiving more data. NPCC said that the figure of 198 was arrived at on the basis of the data received from 40 police forces. “We are working at pace with forces, law enforcement agencies such as the NCA [National Crime Agency] and other partners including the Home Office and universities to understand the scale of offending, establish any links between the allegations and ultimately bring any identified offenders to justice.” deputy chief constable Jason Harwin was quoted by The Guardian as saying. Longstanding fears about the safety of women in public places have also come under renewed focus after the high-profile murder of a London woman by a rogue police officer earlier this year. Students in dozens of university towns and cities have responded with plans to boycott nightlife venues More than 163,000 have signed a petition urging the government to make it compulsory for nightclubs to thoroughly search guests on entry. (With inputs from agencies)

UK: Nearly 200 cases of drink spiking reported in last two months

Pub and restaurant owners across England will breathe a sigh of relief&nbsp;on&nbsp;Monday, as months of coronavirus restrictions are lifted, allowing them to serve groups of six or two households inside.

For the last month, they have only been allowed to serve food and drinks outside, making indoors an attractive option for punters who have shivered during an exceptionally cold spring.

"I can't wait," said James Berridge, a television director. "When restaurants and&nbsp;pubs&nbsp;and clubs will really open, we're going to be there, indoors.

"On&nbsp;a beautiful day... it's fine outdoors. We're in the&nbsp;UK. As soon as it rains, we need to be inside, by the fire, having a pint."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-boris-johnson-announces-plans-to-reopen-shops-pubs-in-england-from-april-12-375554">PM Boris Johnson announces plans to reopen shops, pubs in England from April 12</a>

But just days before the long-expected&nbsp;reopening, Polina Minkova, the manager of The Guildford Arms in southeast London, has been struggling with a major problem.

"It has been very difficult to get staff," she told AFP. Qualified, experienced workers, in particular, are in short supply, including for senior positions in the kitchens.

Monday&nbsp;is a major step in the&nbsp;reopening&nbsp;of the badly hit hospitality and leisure sectors, with museums, hotels and sports stadiums all expected to welcome back visitors.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cautious-hugging-and-pints-uk-pm-johnson-to-ease-englands-lockdown-384041">'Cautious hugging' and pints: UK PM Johnson to ease England's lockdown</a>

A marked decline in Covid cases, driven by months of strict measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, and a successful vaccination campaign, has allowed the move.&nbsp;

'Challenge'&nbsp;

The situation at The Guildford Arms, in upmarket Greenwich, is being played out across the sector, according to the British Beer and Pub Association, an industry body.

Chief executive Emma McClarkin, whose organisation represents 20,000&nbsp;pubs, said it was a "challenge" to make sure staff have "the right skill sets that we need to reopen fully".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-threatens-to-deport-european-union-citizens-failing-to-comply-residency-deadline-262035">Britain threatens to deport European Union citizens failing to comply residency deadline</a>

The pool of available staff has been reduced by ongoing coronavirus furlough schemes and by hospitality workers who have left the sector for jobs considered more stable.

Pubs, restaurants and cafes have also been hit by the departure of EU nationals from Britain, a phenomenon that started during Brexit and accelerated during the pandemic.

European nationals accounted for 12.3 per cent to 23.7 per cent of the workforce in 2017, before the&nbsp;UK's departure from the bloc, according to consultancy firm KPMG.

Britain's Office for Statistics has said the hotel and restaurant sector has been the hardest hit by the pandemic: 355,000 salaried jobs have been lost in one year since March 2020.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-achieves-key-vaccination-target-as-pubs-shops-and-salons-reopen-377224">UK achieves key vaccination target as pubs, shops and salons reopen</a>

"What employers in the sector are telling us is that between 10 and 20 per cent&nbsp;on&nbsp;average of their people who've been&nbsp;on&nbsp;furlough are deciding not to return," Kathy Dyball, director of the specialist recruitment site Caterer.com told AFP.

Her site had seen a steep rise in adverts seeking new employees, a sign of a worsening situation for the hospitality sector which she said had suffered from understaffing for "decades".&nbsp;

'A lot of competition'&nbsp;

Chefs have been among those in the highest demand, pushing up salaries.&nbsp;

Carol Cairnes, head of human resources at D&amp;D London which owns some 40 high-end restaurants in the&nbsp;UK, said there had been "a lot of competition out there to get the best candidates".

As she looks for between 250 to 300 additional staff in addition to the 1,400 positions across the business, Cairnes said she had seen an increase in British candidates and applicants with less experience looking for positions after Brexit.

"We've a lot of enquiries from overseas from people," Cairnes said. "We're not able to bring them over," she added, citing post-Brexit immigration rules.

The problem for hospitality has become all the more pressing as the sector looks to meet demand from customers who are keen to return to&nbsp;indoor&nbsp;dining.

By July, the McMullen pub chain plans to open new locations and hire 400 people in addition to the roughly 1,600 staff it currently employs.

The chain's joint managing director, Heydon Mizon, said while staffing would not be an obstacle to&nbsp;reopening&nbsp;next week, it could be a problem as the restaurants get busier.

"We expect it to be quite busy in June and July," he said, explaining at current staffing levels his teams would "have to work more hours and we don't want that".

Pub and restaurant owners across England will breathe a sigh of relief on Monday, as months of coronavirus restrictions are lifted, allowing them to serve groups of six or two households inside.

Pub and restaurant owners across England will breathe a sigh of relief on Monday, as months of coronavirus restrictions are lifted, allowing them to serve groups of six or two households inside. For the last month, they have only been allowed to serve food and drinks outside, making indoors an attractive option for punters who have shivered during an exceptionally cold spring. "I can't wait," said James Berridge, a television director. "When restaurants and pubs and clubs will really open, we're going to be there, indoors. "On a beautiful day... it's fine outdoors. We're in the UK. As soon as it rains, we need to be inside, by the fire, having a pint." Also read | PM Boris Johnson announces plans to reopen shops, pubs in England from April 12 But just days before the long-expected reopening, Polina Minkova, the manager of The Guildford Arms in southeast London, has been struggling with a major problem. "It has been very difficult to get staff," she told AFP. Qualified, experienced workers, in particular, are in short supply, including for senior positions in the kitchens. Monday is a major step in the reopening of the badly hit hospitality and leisure sectors, with museums, hotels and sports stadiums all expected to welcome back visitors. Also read | 'Cautious hugging' and pints: UK PM Johnson to ease England's lockdown A marked decline in Covid cases, driven by months of strict measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, and a successful vaccination campaign, has allowed the move. 'Challenge' The situation at The Guildford Arms, in upmarket Greenwich, is being played out across the sector, according to the British Beer and Pub Association, an industry body. Chief executive Emma McClarkin, whose organisation represents 20,000 pubs, said it was a "challenge" to make sure staff have "the right skill sets that we need to reopen fully". Also read | Britain threatens to deport European Union citizens failing to comply residency deadline The pool of available staff has been reduced by ongoing coronavirus furlough schemes and by hospitality workers who have left the sector for jobs considered more stable. Pubs, restaurants and cafes have also been hit by the departure of EU nationals from Britain, a phenomenon that started during Brexit and accelerated during the pandemic. European nationals accounted for 12.3 per cent to 23.7 per cent of the workforce in 2017, before the UK's departure from the bloc, according to consultancy firm KPMG. Britain's Office for Statistics has said the hotel and restaurant sector has been the hardest hit by the pandemic: 355,000 salaried jobs have been lost in one year since March 2020. Also read | UK achieves key vaccination target as pubs, shops and salons reopen "What employers in the sector are telling us is that between 10 and 20 per cent on average of their people who've been on furlough are deciding not to return," Kathy Dyball, director of the specialist recruitment site Caterer.com told AFP. Her site had seen a steep rise in adverts seeking new employees, a sign of a worsening situation for the hospitality sector which she said had suffered from understaffing for "decades". 'A lot of competition' Chefs have been among those in the highest demand, pushing up salaries. Carol Cairnes, head of human resources at D&D London which owns some 40 high-end restaurants in the UK, said there had been "a lot of competition out there to get the best candidates". As she looks for between 250 to 300 additional staff in addition to the 1,400 positions across the business, Cairnes said she had seen an increase in British candidates and applicants with less experience looking for positions after Brexit. "We've a lot of enquiries from overseas from people," Cairnes said. "We're not able to bring them over," she added, citing post-Brexit immigration rules. The problem for hospitality has become all the more pressing as the sector looks to meet demand from customers who are keen to return to indoor dining. By July, the McMullen pub chain plans to open new locations and hire 400 people in addition to the roughly 1,600 staff it currently employs. The chain's joint managing director, Heydon Mizon, said while staffing would not be an obstacle to reopening next week, it could be a problem as the restaurants get busier. "We expect it to be quite busy in June and July," he said, explaining at current staffing levels his teams would "have to work more hours and we don't want that".

UK pubs face recruiting struggle ahead of indoor reopening on Monday

Experts in Britain have warned of a 'mass violation of rights' after 'contact-trac app' users' data collected by pubs and restaurants has reportedly been sold on to third parties.

According to The Times, contact-tracing data required by the NHS Test and Trace scheme has been harvested by tech companies on behalf of hospitality venues since they reopened in June.

The experts raised concerns that the firm might not be able to protect personal data held on its servers.

Tech Companies collecting data have reportedly created privacy policies which allow the firms to store users’ data for up to 25 years and share it with third parties.

People who have tested positive for COVID-19 use the Government’s contact tracing website to input the details of individuals they have been in contact with, so they can be asked to self-isolate.

A number of such “contact tracing” apps have recently had their trials and many of the developers readily admit that the technology has not yet proven that it can slow the spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, a new Council of Europe report has identified a number of shortcomings in the protection of privacy and personal data in some of the legal and technical measures adopted by governments to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic among the several countries.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Experts in Britain have warned of a 'mass violation of rights' after 'contact-trac app' users' data collected by pubs and restaurants has reportedly been sold on to third parties.

Experts in Britain have warned of a 'mass violation of rights' after 'contact-trac app' users' data collected by pubs and restaurants has reportedly been sold on to third parties. According to The Times, contact-tracing data required by the NHS Test and Trace scheme has been harvested by tech companies on behalf of hospitality venues since they reopened in June. The experts raised concerns that the firm might not be able to protect personal data held on its servers. Tech Companies collecting data have reportedly created privacy policies which allow the firms to store users’ data for up to 25 years and share it with third parties. People who have tested positive for COVID-19 use the Government’s contact tracing website to input the details of individuals they have been in contact with, so they can be asked to self-isolate. A number of such “contact tracing” apps have recently had their trials and many of the developers readily admit that the technology has not yet proven that it can slow the spread of the virus. Meanwhile, a new Council of Europe report has identified a number of shortcomings in the protection of privacy and personal data in some of the legal and technical measures adopted by governments to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic among the several countries. (With inputs from agencies)

Mass violation of rights: Contact-tracing data harvested from pubs and restaurants being sold on

Britain's police said Sunday that revellers who packed London's Soho district the night pubs finally reopened made it "crystal clear" that drunk people cannot socially distance. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged people to follow norms. Watch report.

UK PM Boris Johnson urges people to follow norms

JD Wetherspoon chief CEO Tim Martin is facing a lot of ire after he refused to close pubs despite calls that he is jeopardising lives of many amid coronavirus outbreak.&nbsp;

Martin told BBC Radio 4 today that shutting down pubs were "over the top"&nbsp;in spite of the government's chief scientific adviser warning that bars are a breeding ground for the COVID-19.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-considering-partial-lockdown-in-london-as-coronavirus-scare-deepens-287351">UK considering partial lockdown in London as coronavirus scare deepens</a>

The CEO further said bars should maintain a "sensible balance"&nbsp;to implement social distancing measures.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-expects-20000-deaths-from-coronavirus-government-chief-scientist-287058">UK expects 20,000 deaths from coronavirus: Government chief scientist</a>

Martin faced more criticism when he said that supermarkets are a bigger threat than pubs.&nbsp;

"Supermarkets are very, very crowded. Pubs are much less crowded. There's hardly been any transmission of the virus within pubs and I think it's over the top to shut them," Martin said.&nbsp;

Netizens have slammed Martin, describing his actions as "grossly irresponsible" and urged him to use social media as celebrities like Kylie Jenner are to encourage youth to stay at home.

Meanwhile, pubs continue to remain occupied with party-goers amid growing calls in the country for social distancing, leading to angry reactions on Twitter.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has so far been reluctant on imposing stricter lockdowns in London, where the majority of cases are reported and emphasize increasing the testing.&nbsp;

Restauranteurs and landlords have asked governments to not order shutdown, arguing that the move would lead to massive losses.&nbsp;

JD Wetherspoon chief CEO Tim Martin is facing a lot of ire after he refused to close pubs despite calls that he is jeopardising lives of many amid coronavirus outbreak.

JD Wetherspoon chief CEO Tim Martin is facing a lot of ire after he refused to close pubs despite calls that he is jeopardising lives of many amid coronavirus outbreak. Martin told BBC Radio 4 today that shutting down pubs were "over the top" in spite of the government's chief scientific adviser warning that bars are a breeding ground for the COVID-19. Also read | UK considering partial lockdown in London as coronavirus scare deepens The CEO further said bars should maintain a "sensible balance" to implement social distancing measures. Also read | UK expects 20,000 deaths from coronavirus: Government chief scientist Martin faced more criticism when he said that supermarkets are a bigger threat than pubs. "Supermarkets are very, very crowded. Pubs are much less crowded. There's hardly been any transmission of the virus within pubs and I think it's over the top to shut them," Martin said. Netizens have slammed Martin, describing his actions as "grossly irresponsible" and urged him to use social media as celebrities like Kylie Jenner are to encourage youth to stay at home. Meanwhile, pubs continue to remain occupied with party-goers amid growing calls in the country for social distancing, leading to angry reactions on Twitter. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has so far been reluctant on imposing stricter lockdowns in London, where the majority of cases are reported and emphasize increasing the testing. Restauranteurs and landlords have asked governments to not order shutdown, arguing that the move would lead to massive losses.

UK: Netizens slam as Britons continue to visit pubs despite coronavirus fears

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