Cost of Living Crisis: Wickham Arms may have to charge £16 a pint

Stephen Hey, 74, has been running The Wickham Arms Hotel in Cleckheaton for 32 years.

In recent months, the landlord has seen a dramatic increase in his electricity charges and now fears for his livelihood.

"I have been a publican for 48 years and have never seen anything like this," Mr Hey told the Telegraph & Argus.

"It is just unsustainable for us to go on from October.

"We cannot plan for anything. 12 of my staff could be without a job because of my electric bills going up."

Mr Hey fears closure is on the horizon

He added: “I go to sleep every night afraid and I wake up every morning afraid. This crisis is far more urgent than the government is aware of.

"We’re frustrated and helpless because no one in power understands our predicament.” 

Mr Hey then went into his financials and predicted the industry's future.

"£1,000 a month is affordable but £1,000 a week is not.

The Wickham Arms Hotel has been run by Mr Hey for 32 years

"You can't push that rise onto the customers, if I was to do that I would be charging £16 a pint.

"By next year, the costs may come down but it will be too late.

"Local pubs can simply not compete with the Wetherspoons and Lloyds. It will soon be a monopoly."

Kim Leadbeater, Batley and Spen MP, visited small businesses in the constituency to hear how they are coping amid the cost of living crisis.

She said: “From the messages I receive and all the conversations I have had it is clear that local people and businesses are facing an unprecedented crisis.

"The impact on individuals and families is already severe and it’s not just the worst off and most vulnerable who are suffering.

Kim Leadbeater MP is urging the government to take action on the cost of living crisis

"The worry over how to meet these eye-watering bills is causing terrible distress and affecting people’s physical and mental health. 

"Businesses like pubs are not just significant employers, they serve a really important social purpose. I met some fantastic women at the Wickham Arms who told me their weekly bridge club sessions there are often the only contact they have with other people.

"I’ve spoken to gyms, shop owners and many others who genuinely fear that they will go out of business if they don’t get urgent help. These places are the glue that hold our communities together."