A North East pub has declared it will no longer be able to host deposit-free events due to huge energy bills - and half of their bookings failing to turn up.

The Three Horseshoes in Billingham, near Stockton, has said it will no longer host deposit-free events due to a combination of rising energy bills and bookings not being fulfilled.

Mark Wilkinson, 52, landlord of the Three Horseshoes, from Hartlepool, said the pub can no longer afford to take deposit-free bookings after its electricity bill rose by nearly £50,000.

He said 30 out of 60 people failed to turn up to his pub’s sold-out event which cost between £600 to £700, and the pub had missed out on making close to £1,000.

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The Northern Echo: Three HorseshoesThree Horseshoes (Image: Three Horseshoes)

The event cost £15 per person and included a live singing performance, a choice of three drinks, and a sharing platter.

He said the event was put on to allow people struggling with the cost of living a cheap night out.

Mr Wilkinson said: “People haven’t really got that kind of disposable money at the moment, so we try to do things where we can get people in at quite a reasonable cost.

“We didn’t take deposits like we usually do. We’re aware of cost of living at the moment, we’re aware of what people have to spend.

“We had it all organised, up until the Monday we were all fully booked, we had to move them from the lounge bar through into the restaurants because there were that many people coming.

“I think it was 30 people who didn’t even turn up, didn’t even message us or call or anything.

“It’s good faith with people, unfortunately, that’s gone now that they haven’t turned up."

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Mr Wilkinson said his bills are currently projected to increase from £11,500 to £63,000.

He said the pub lost money after hiring an "expensive" singer, bringing on more staff for the day and having to waste unused food.

He said all future events will now require a deposit and pubs like his cannot afford hosting events when people cancel.

Food costs for the pub have also gone up by 30 per cent and it faces rising costs for staff, national insurance, pensions, beers and lagers, and a rent increase.

Following the government’s announcement of a price cap on energy bills, he added that more needs to be done.

He said: “It’s been a tough 14 months and hopefully things are going to improve. I think the government have got to do a lot more in the long-term to support hospitality."

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