The owner of a recently closed Bangor bar has warned that more will follow unless action is taken to support the hospitality industry.
Mark Chenery, who owned ‘Y Ranch’ on Bangor High Street, warned the situation for the sector will “only get worse” and said many others will close if the problems are not addressed.
Like many other businesses, ‘Y Ranch’ suffered because of Covid lockdowns and pandemic restrictions, as they emerged from the crisis they were then hit with the additional costs of the energy crisis.
The sector has been calling for additional support on VAT and business rates to help businesses get through the economic downturn and excessive inflation.
Mark told North Wales Live: “Sadly, the situation is only likely to get worse. The problem is stemmed much further back than just the energy crisis. Hospitality as a whole is still very much in the recovery mode from months of lockdown.
“First to be locked down and last to reopen, all the while generating debts to energy complains, HMRC, PAYE etc. All the above now expect venues to not only pay the current liabilities but also the debts built up while we were forced to close, unable to sell alcohol. Unlike supermarkets that were ‘essential’, un-policed and serving alcohol throughout.
“Coupled with the extremely high business rates that the high street command, a Bangor BID payment for ‘hanging baskets’ etc businesses on the high street stand little chance. I do believe that if something isn’t addressed soon, public house numbers will dwindle and local businesses will fold.”
