PUB landlords across Barnsley have issued a plea during what they describe as the worst they’ve ever seen the industry ‘use us or lose us’.
Barnsley’s branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has written to the council and the area’s three MPs calling for more support to be given to the town’s pubs, social clubs and independent breweries.
Described as a ‘perfect storm’, the issues local venues are facing are continuing to mount.
Chairman Phil Gregg and landlords throughout the town have issued praise to the council on the business rates relief yet again this year - but the continuing rise of the national living wage is leaving some venues with difficult decisions to make.
From cutting back staff hours to only opening on weekends, pubs are desperate for some support.
Phil told the Chronicle: “The current climate is creating what could best be described as a perfect storm for the hospitality sector.
“At the same time, businesses are dealing with increased employer costs, including rises in National Insurance contributions and the minimum wage, alongside higher business rates.
“While Barnsley Council appears to be offering some relief for the hospitality sector, I am currently in discussions with Sir Steve Houghton to better understand the detail of what support will be available locally.
“Across the borough, many villages have already lost a significant number of pubs over the last 20 years, and in some cases only a single pub now remains serving the local community.
“Pubs, clubs and breweries play a vital role in community life across Barnsley.
“They provide important social spaces, support local employment and help sustain our local brewing industry.
“Ensuring they are able to survive and thrive is therefore not just an economic issue, but a matter of protecting the social fabric of our communities.”
Luke Thompson, who runs half a dozen pubs across the town, admits the current situation is the worst he’s seen during his period in the industry.
He said: “I dare I say a few of them have to got to the position where it’s ‘use it or lose it’.
“It’s just really hard at the minute.
“It just feels like the government’s trying to kill us off as horrible as it sounds.
“I saved the Dove Inn for the community and don’t get me wrong, matchday is absolutely fantastic.
“But when it’s not a matchday it’s a very, very hard pub.
“If that didn’t get changed to a percentage with managers, that would 100 per cent have been shut down in the last three months.
“I’ve literally grown up in this industry and as much as I used to love it back then, at this moment in time, I don’t.
“I just can’t see it ever getting better.
“I think this - as horrible as it sounds - could be the end of the pub trade.”
Will Rodgers, who runs a number of venues throughout Penistone and Barnsley town centre, reiterated his concerns but praised the council for their work in supporting venues.
He added: “I’m not really sure what more we could ask for from the council.
“Small businesses won’t be able to survive if minimum wage keeps increasing like it is.
“Energy is killing us now as well.”
Paul McNicholas, who runs pubs on the Victorian Arcade, also thanked the council for the rate freeze but has called on them to take away the barriers which have left owners with their ‘hands tied behind their backs’.
“We’re only operating on weekends now,” he added.
“If you’re not selling food, then there’s just no sense in opening.
“You’ll be losing money by opening your doors.”
Sharon Lang, manager at the Prince of Wales pub in Wombwell, says she’s had to cut back staff hours.
“It’s nowhere near like it used to be when I first took over the premise,” she said.
“I’ve been here six years now.
“People just haven’t got the money.
“I’ve had to cut stuff hours back to work more hours myself.
“I work 75 to 80 hours a week because it’s not just the pulling the pints - it’s everything else that goes with it.
“We’re not being supported - I know it sounds daft but I think the government want all pubs to be shut down.”
* More on page two.
