Octopus Energy is providing free electricity to pubs during England and Scotland World Cup games through its new 'Watt a Save' initiative. The offer gives pubs five hours of free power from 7pm to midnight on match nights, aiming to help businesses cope with rising energy costs.
The scheme is available to all establishments on an Octopus Energy for Business tariff with a smart meter. Octopus supplies over 120,000 business customers in the UK. Pubs can also make additional savings by shifting energy usage into these hours.
Zoisa North-Bond, CEO at Octopus Energy for Business, said: 'Pubs do more than serve drinks – they're where friends catch up and, during a big tournament, where entire rooms celebrate and despair in unison. But like many businesses, they've been feeling the squeeze from rising costs, including energy bills.'
Declan Perkins, owner of three London pubs, added: 'The World Cup is one of our busiest times – so free electricity on the evenings England and Scotland are playing is a real help as we focus on giving our customers a brilliant match day experience.'
The offer comes as energy bills have increased sharply since the start of the Iran war, with businesses facing rising costs, tax hikes and wage increases. Figures from the British Beer and Pub Association show 161 pubs closed across Britain in the first three months of the year, equivalent to two pubs shutting every day, resulting in around 2,400 job losses.
Earlier this year, the Government announced business rates support for pubs after warnings that the withdrawal of pandemic-era discounts could lead to more closures. A 15% tax relief for pubs and music venues came into effect in April. A recent YouGov survey found nearly three-quarters of hospitality firms reported a negative impact from energy costs over the past year.
