Almost 50 pubs in Bedford Borough at risk of closing as Chancellor slashes business support

New analysis by the Liberal Democrats reveals that nearly 50 pubs, restaurants and cafes are at risk in Bedford Borough following the Chancellor's Budget. The analysis also predicts that 1,786 businesses are expected to close across the East of England.

The Budget confirmed that business energy support will be slashed by 85% by moving from a cap on unit costs of electricity and gas to a discount covering a small proportion of the price. According to the Federation of Small Businesses "one in four small firms anticipate either closing, downsizing, or radically changing their business model" when business support is slashed in April.

Liberal Democrat analysis shows that small and medium sized pubs, restaurants and cafes across the country are facing an increase in bills of £231 million - around £2,620 per business in Bedford Borough. The removal of this much-needed support by the Conservative Government comes in contrast to the news that locally, Liberal Democrat led Bedford Borough Council awarded 100% of COVID Business Support grants to local businesses - one of the top few local authorities to distribute the full amount of the grants.

Portfolio Holder for Town Centres and Planning, Councillor Henry Vann said "What good is fiddling with the price of beer in the budget if there are no pubs left open? The Conservatives are failing businesses who are facing the very real possibility of closing their doors this April if they don't back down from their deeply damaging plans. They must extend energy support for at least another six months as the Liberal Democrats have called for.

"And whilst this is happening, local Conservatives seem determined to talk Bedford down when it is their government who are hitting our businesses with this unfair cut in support. We will continue to fight for Bedford, work proactively to link businesses with new premises, hitting a target of almost 100% occupancy for Borough-owned buildings, regenerating our town and enhancing our beautiful Great Ouse riverside, which has helped deliver a footfall that has returned faster than our neighbours and a vacancy rate below national average. We support businesses, the Conservatives fail businesses."