175 hospitality businesses in Harrogate and Knaresborough face cost of living cliff edge

According to official statistics, in Harrogate and Knaresborough there are 175 pubs, restaurants and cafes at risk, facing a rise in energy bills by thousands of pounds. The Government initially capped the cost of business energy, but from April they are replacing that scheme and will instead just pay a small proportion of businesses increased costs. This means many pubs, cafes and restaurants will see a 90% cut in help from the government. 

The Liberal Democrats are calling for the government to think again. Businesses across the country are worried about the cliff edge they’re facing this year and Ministers need to listen to businesses about the risks they are facing before they withdraw support. 

Commenting Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Harrogate and Knaresborough, Tom Gordon said:
“The Government has failed us all on the energy crisis, now businesses are facing a cliff edge this year. Local pubs, restaurants and cafes have endured so much already, people will be devastated to see any more harm to our local high streets. In January I spoke with local business leaders at a Harrogate and District Chamber of Commerce event. While the challenges businesses are facing is varied, the catastrophic impact of energy prices were universal. The Government needs to give businesses around here the support they need to endure this energy bill catastrophe.

“Ministers in Westminster must not wait a moment more. Liberal Democrats are calling for them to intervene and think again about this change - if they don’t, we could see thousands of businesses, including pubs, restaurants and cafes going bust. This could rip the heart out of our communities.”