THE owner of an independent pub in Bournemouth has issued a plea for customer support amid rising utility costs.

The Four Horsemen pub has revealed it expects to face price hikes of more than 300 per cent as it comes to the end of its contact in November.

The shocking statistics were shared in a Facebook post by the pub, which goes on to describe the energy crisis as “getting out of hand”.

Dan Sullivan, who bought the pub in 2019, said: “I’ve just had quotes for a new contract and it’s about a 400 per cent rise from what it was last year, and a 300 per cent rise from what it is now, which equates to about £40,000 extra.

"I’ve been combing through all my accounts at the moment trying to shave off as much money as possible.

Read more: Dorset pub closes after £58,000 increase in utility costs

"There’s not loads of profit in a small bar, you do it because you love it.”

The impact of surging utility costs is already evident in the industry.

Last month, The Fontmell, in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, closed in the face of a £58,000-a-year rise in its utility costs, which it said it could no longer pass on to its customers.

Dan said: “It’s just heartbreaking.

"There are not a great deal of options. The government will most likely do some token gesture but it'll probably be way too late”

Read more: Energy price rises for business leave some struggling to survive

The Four Horsemen pub has written to customers on Facebook to call for support amid the crisis. They said: “This winter is going to be tough on businesses of all kinds.

“Please support your independent bars and businesses this winter. There's plenty of great places opened and run by individuals with their hopes, dreams and ambitions all tied up in them.”

Dan added: “Places are going to start closing pretty soon.

"Something will have to be done, otherwise the whole high street is going to go bust.

"Enjoy your local pub because it won’t be there in a year.”