41 Horsham area pubs face closure as Chancellor slashes business support

New analysis by the Liberal Democrats reveals that over 41 pubs, restaurants and cafes are at risk of closure within Horsham District following the Chancellor’s Budget last week.

The analysis also predicts that 2700 businesses will close across the South East Region.

Support for businesses to help them through the energy crisis will be slashed by 85%. Instead of a cap on electricity and gas prices, from April they will receive a discount covering just a small proportion of the price. 

The effect is alarming. According to the Federation of Small Businesses “one in four small firms anticipate either closing, downsizing, or radically changing their business model”.

Liberal Democrat analysis for Horsham shows that small and medium sized pubs, restaurants and cafes face an increase in bills of around £3000 per business. 

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Horsham, John Milne said:

“What good is cutting the price of beer in pubs if there are no pubs left open? The Conservative Government is failing businesses who are facing the very real possibility of shutting their doors for good  this April.

“If the Tories actually understood the hospitality business they would extend energy support for at least another six months, as Liberal Democrats have called for.”