MANY businesses are “incredibly worried” about whether they will survive the winter as energy bills spiral.

The warning comes after one Dorset pub closed in the face of a £58,000-a-year rise in its utility costs.

The Fontmell, in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, said it could no longer pass increased costs on to its customers.

Marstons, the owner of Ringwood Brewery, has joined five other pub and brewing giants in warning the government that many pubs could close amid price hikes of more than 300 per cent.

The trade body UKHospitality has also called for government support, with chief executive Kate Nicholls warning: “Without support, the industry will see widespread business failure, leading to tens of thousands of job losses, persistent scarring to high streets and damaged social mobility.”

Ian Girling, chief executive of Dorset Chamber, said:“The situation is incredibly worrying for businesses.

“Many are justifiably concerned about surviving the winter in the face of exorbitant increases in energy bills, including those in the hospitality sector.

“The number of pubs and bars is already at a record low, according to latest figures, with some struggling to turn a profit or just break even.

“Recent warnings raised by the pub and brewing industry about the energy costs crisis echo those from cafes, restaurants, retail and most other sectors as well as the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

“Businesses have just begun to get on their feet after the Covid pandemic and have been hit by record inflation, a recruitment crisis and sky-high costs which leave them facing a very real and existential threat to their futures.”

He said energy prices could be “the straw that breaks the camel’s back” after prolonged pressure on businesses and households.

He said the chamber supports the BCC’s call for Covid-style emergency grants for small and medium sized businesses and a temporary cut in VAT to five per cent.

The government has said in response to the letter from pub companies: “No government can control the global factors pushing up the price of energy and other business costs, but we will continue to support the hospitality sector in navigating the months ahead.”