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The Campaign for Real Ale is making a plea to the Chancellor to confirm before Christmas that breweries, pubs and hospitality businesses will receive support with their rocketing energy bills when the current scheme runs out in April 2023. 

It comes after a string of announcements in recent months of small, local and independent breweries closing down as they can’t make ends meet. 

Research by Steve Dunkley of Manchester-based Beer Nouveau has revealed that dozens of breweries have closed their doors in 2022.  

Brewers, and the wider pub sector, face a Christmas of uncertainty as the Government has failed to make key announcements about economic support and fiscal arrangements in 2023.  

The sector is anxiously awaiting news on which businesses will get energy bill support past April, as well as a decision on whether or not general beer duty will be uprated next year (which could see huge inflationary rises in the price of a pint at the bar), leaving brewers and publicans in the dark.  

CAMRA’s campaign has now reached the House of Commons where Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Pub Group Charlotte Nichols MP has submitted parliamentary questions to the Chancellor and Business Secretary asking for support with energy costs to help stop more pubs and breweries having to call last orders for good. 

Commenting, Steve Dunkley of Beer Nouveau said: 

“It is deeply worrying to see scores of small breweries announcing in recent weeks that they are having to close down for good due to the soaring costs of both making beer and keeping pubs open. 

“Coupled with customers tightening their belts and the risk of energy bills rocketing when the Government support scheme ends next year, these closures could go through the roof if the Government doesn’t offer urgent support to save this crucial part of British brewing.” 

Charlotte Nichols MP commented: 

“With pubs and other hospitality businesses facing a cliff edge in support for a crisis that will last long beyond April, it’s vital that Government give the trade some certainty over the festive period. The risk of spiralling future energy costs will leave licensees and brewers in limbo as they try to mitigate the impact of consumers being forced to tighten their belts. There are a huge range of measures that the Chancellor and Business Secretary could take to support pubs and I look forward to hearing from them both about their plans.” 

CAMRA Chairman Nik Antona added: 

“Small and independent breweries have been a huge success story for the UK economy over the past 30 years, employing local people and reviving the UK’s beer scene and massively increasing the choice of tasty and distinctive brews for drinkers.  

“If we are to make sure that our beloved breweries can survive and thrive, then the Government urgently need to give brewing and pub and club businesses certainty and make key announcements about ongoing energy bill support and freezing general beer duty as soon as possible. 

“CAMRA are also calling for venues to receive more help with the burden of business rates – and for the new, lower rate of duty charged on draught beer and cider to be introduced as quickly as possible to help pubs and small, independent breweries.” 

Sources of information on brewery closures: 

• Steve Dunkley’s list of 2022 brewery closures is available on the Beer Nouveau Blog here: 2022 Closures | Beer Nouveau 
• A similar list is compiled by CAMRA volunteers at: Breweries Closed In 2022 (quaffale.org.uk) 

Parliamentary Questions submitted by Charlotte Nichols MP are as follows and are due for answer by 19th December: 

• To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to extend the Energy Bill Relief Scheme beyond April 2023 for hospitality businesses; and if he will make a statement. 
• To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy what support he plans to provide to (a) pubs, (b) social clubs (c) breweries and (d) cider and perry producers for the cost of energy once the Energy Bill Relief Scheme ends; and if he will make a statement. 
• To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy what recent assessment he has made of the rate of closure of small and independent breweries in the UK in the last 6 months. 

It’s scary out there at the moment isn’t it? Whether you read this as a drinker, a landlord or a hospitality worker, you’ll have either a shared or individual reason to be concerned. Sadly, that doesn’t seem to be going to change anytime soon either. There’s the overall Russian concern, concerns over job stability and, for our beloved pus and bars, concerns over financial sustainability. Like those sitting at home, how are they going to pay their electricity bills?

With everyone, myself included, facing imminent price hikes for utilities, food and other bills, will there be room for beer in our budgets? Will we be able to venture out to our locals (or beyond) for a pint in a bid to ‘do our bit’ and help them keep their lights on? Well, we just might be able to…

It’s impossible to avoid the numerous saddening news stories of venues closing (The Griffin in Castleford being one of the latest) but between them, there are small glimmers of hope, and opportunity for those able. Pubs have been the beating heart of communities for generations now and if we’re not careful, we’re in danger of losing that. Whilst the word ‘pub’ might instantly mean beer that could, particularly over the winter, change to warmth.

In a world where home-working has become the norm, sitting at home might not be as comfortable as it once was. Instead of staring at the thermostat with scrutiny before sticking on a tenth layer of clothing, pubs and venues could provide the answer; allow people to work from them. For a fee of some sort, perhaps with a pint or cup/s of tea/coffee thrown in, not only could someone work remotely in relative comfort, but the pub can also cover a portion of their heating/electricity bill at the same time. And, let’s be honest, who isn’t going to stop for a pint after work too?

This isn’t a new or ground-breaking idea either as venues such as Springwell, North Brewing’s taproom, and Horsforth Brewery cater for those needing a workspace, but it’s one I’m surprised we haven’t seen more of. Not only can those working from home find some company and conversation by working outside of their own four walls, but the pub could find itself some new customers too.

Of course, this isn’t going to be applicable to every venue across the district, but how many would otherwise potentially be heating an empty space wishing for customers? Not only is it beneficial for both parties if done correctly, but it could be the first crucial step in re-connecting with the local community and prolonging the pub being the centre of its local community. If people are happy to work there, they’re certainly going to be happy to eat, drink and socialise there after. Done properly, the pub could become people’s second homes, much like they used to be, with a thriving community look and feel.

It’s a novel idea, and one that may not generate thousands in income but, in the current climate especially, surely something is better than nothing? The potential long term effect is worth considering too, with plenty of opportunity to advertise upcoming events & community projects, enticing further revenue and support.

If I worked from home and my local offered such an idea, I know where I would rather be sat. Imagine being able to say, “I’m going to work,” meaning the pub and having the best of both worlds; a comfortable & welcoming space in which to work, then having a pint after. Sounds perfect to me.

Stephen Carter, Points of Brew 

https://pointsofbrew.beer/

Wendy Woodhouse 1944-2022. By Chris Bamford.

It is with great sadness that we are passing on the news that one of the most important, influential, respected, and downright nicest people in the Sheffield pub scene, Wendy Woodhouse, passed away in late September.

Although many already knew Wendy from her many years running a newsagents on Ecclesall Road, and from her many other business interests, she became well known in the real ale scene after opening The Harlequin in October 2006. The Harlequin, in the former Manchester Hotel on Nursery Street, took its name from a much-loved pub on Johnson Street around the corner, which was unfortunately demolished, despite Wendy’s attempt to save it. In typical Wendy fashion, she was not to be deterred and simply bought The Manchester instead, a former Wards pub which had fallen on hard times.

Under Wendy’s stewardship, and later that of her step-daughter Hannah after Wendy’s partial retirement, The Harlequin fast established itself as one of the best real ale pubs in a city not short of such places. Having diligently learnt her craft during a short stint at the Kelham Island Tavern, and through friendship with other highly respected Sheffield publicans, the pub soon became famed for its beer festivals and vast array of new and rare beers from around the country, as well as local favourites. Before long, the pub was the recipient of several CAMRA awards. Characteristic of Wendy’s dedication to authenticity, there was also a nod to the history of the building’s past life as The Manchester, in being one of the few places still serving John Smith’s Magnet on cask.

Driven by Wendy’s love of rock and roll, the pub hosted regular live music nights, including frequent performances from Sheffield’s legendary guitarist Frank White. There were quiz nights, folk music sessions, good value food at lunch time, and a function room hosting all manner of events, emphasising another of the values Wendy held most dear – community spirit.

Perhaps the story from the Harlequin that best reflects Wendy’s sheer determination was the fact the pub, despite being located only a road width away from the banks of the Don, did not close during the 2007 floods – a fact of which Wendy was most proud. This is reflected in this correction issued in an online local history group when it was suggested otherwise: 

“The information you give about The Harlequin during the Flood is incorrect.  I was the licensee at the time and the pub did not close, not even for one day.   I continued to trade the whole time by selling Kellham Island Brewery bottled beers.   The pub and cellar were cleared and cleaned, the cellar sanitized and re-equipped and up and running with cask ale by Friday the 6th July. On Saturday the 30th June we catered for a couple who were celebrating their joint 50th and 60th Birthdays, again with bottled beers but it was nonetheless a huge success.  By the way its original name was the Manchester Lincoln and Sheffield Railway Hotel.”

Wendy was never one for taking it easy, and after leaving The Harlequin it wasn’t long until she popped up behind the bar of another of Sheffield’s resurrected pubs. Shortly after it reopened, she fast became a weekend evening fixture behind the bar at Shakespeares on Gibraltar Street. With Wendy entertaining the regulars, many of whom came specifically to see her, she was always on hand to provide advice, parkin, and support. It wasn’t long before Shakespeares, as the Harlequin had before, established itself in Sheffield’s beer scene. She was part of the team when Shakespeares won Sheffield CAMRA Pub Of The Year in 2013, and kept her regular shift up until the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020.

Not content with this already impressive impact on the pub industry, 2018 saw the start of another chapter in the story of Wendy’s influence. After thwarted attempts to save a couple of other Sheffield pubs (sadly now lost to us), Wendy bought the building housing the former Crown Inn on Scotland Street, then operating as The Sleep Hotel.

With significant investment, not to mention her drive, resourcefulness and experience, this has become The Crow Inn, which opened in June 2019. With Wendy available for assistance, advice and with her unwavering enthusiastic support behind the tenants, this too has become an award winning pub, and seven room hotel. In fact, The Crow will be presented with its second CAMRA Pub of the Month award on Thursday 3rd November, an occasion of which Wendy would have been immensely proud.

Most people would be content to be involved in one award winning pub. To have been part of three, which have in many ways helped shape the evolution of the real ale and craft beer scene in Sheffield, is testament to the sheer energy with which Wendy approached everything throughout her life. She will be sorely missed.

About Wendy and Me

I first spoke to Wendy on Christmas Eve 2007, when she called me to ask if I still wanted a job at The Harlequin, after having dropped in my CV a couple of months earlier. Soon I was being trained in her diligent methods on the bar and in the cellar as I worked with Wendy through the handover to her step-daughter Hannah in 2008. Wendy kept a watchful eye on proceedings over the next couple of years from her shifts on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays while I became assistant manager. While I was the general manager of Shakespeares I hired Wendy (in as much as anyone could ever hire Wendy) once she left The Harlequin. After we took over the running of The Rutland Arms, myself and Kate accompanied Wendy to auctions and near-derelict buildings on her quest to find one more pub. We worked closely alongside Wendy during the refurbishment transforming the Sleep Hotel into The Crow Inn, and are the current tenants there. Without Wendy’s guidance, advice, support and more, I very much doubt I’d have the career I have in this industry.