Warning as thousands of pubs may have to close for two days a week as major chain reduces opening hours

PUBS could be forced to close for up to two days a week because of soaring energy bills, hospitality bosses warn.

There are growing fears that some venues will have to reduce their opening hours as they struggle to cope with rising running costs.

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It comes as Revolution revealed it will be shutting some of its bars on Mondays and Tuesdays to help cut energy costs.

The bar chain has 90 venues across the UK, which typically trade from late morning through into the late evening.

Revolution told us that less than 20 of its venues will close on Mondays and Tuesdays but hasn’t yet confirmed which locations will be affected.

Around 4,500 pubs in the UK are considering reducing trading hours over winter, according to the British Beer and Pub Association.

The trade group said that 85% are considering closing completely on one to two days a week in an effort to keep costs down.

While UK Hospitality says the sector is facing a “winter challenge like no other”.

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of the group which represents venues, said a third of its members feel their survival is at risk.

She told The Sun: “Reducing trading hours or days is becoming increasingly common as businesses tackle these challenges and attempt to stay viable.

“There are trade-offs though, with reduced capacity having a big impact on employment, earnings and, ultimately, the pace of the sector’s economic recovery.”

Energy bills are capped for businesses, but the support will end on March 31.

It was first announced in September under then prime minister Liz Truss.

The government froze wholesale non-domestic energy costs at £211 per MWh for electricity and £75 per MWh for gas.

But this will change in April when government support for firms will be slashed by billions of pounds to try and slim down the cost of the scheme.

The Government promised to support households for two years, non-domestic customers were told their support would run out in just half a year.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk