Man takes to pub roof after being told price of pint…

Man takes to pub roof after being told price of pint was going up amid cost of living crisis

A man took to the roof of a pub in a one-man protest after being told the price of a pint was going up.

The customer was sent "over the edge" when the barman told him his beer would be going up in price from next week.

The incident unfolded in the pub of the County Hotel in Immingham recently and sparked a two-hour stand-off with police.

More than a dozen officers attended the scene and talked the man down from the roof of the three-storey hotel, Grimsby Live reports.

His solo protest over spiralling prices was sparked when he was told his pint would be going up in price by 20p (23 cent) to £3.40. (€3.95).

Owner of the hotel Willie Weir said he had sympathy with customers, but with increased energy costs he will be putting prices up. He said he remained serving the cheapest pint in the town.

"He just had a meltdown over the possibility the price would be going up. I'm not sure what pressures he is facing but he wasn't happy. We have no idea how or why he went on the roof and started shouting about energy costs. It was a bit crazy," said the owner.

The incident unfolded in the pub of the County Hotel in Immingham (Google Maps)

No damage or injury were caused in the protest. A Humberside Police spokesperson said: "A police scene was in place until around 9pm whilst officers resolved the situation and the man came down from the rooftop.

"The man is now assisting officers and enquiries will be carried out to ascertain the circumstances that led to the incident and if any offences have been committed. We would like to thank the public and the local community for their patience and understanding whilst the incident was dealt with and brought to a safe conclusion."

The protest has highlighted concerns in the pub trade about the spiralling cost of living and the impact on businesses, staff and customers.

There are fears some pubs across Ireland will be forced to close for good in the winter due to the spiralling costs of energy and gas, bosses have warned.

Energy supplies across the continent are tight, with costs spiking as a result and Ireland facing the prospect of winter blackouts.

One area being affected badly by the price hikes is the hospitality industry.

Speaking on Tuesday, VFI Chief Executive Paul Clancy told the Irish Mirror: "There is no doubt pubs across Ireland are facing an extremely challenging autumn and winter period. Already we are hearing about energy bills that are double or triple last year’s rates. There are more increases planned for later this year and the political view is this crisis will last for at least two years.

"In the face of this challenge, pubs will be forced to make difficult decisions. "

These decisions could see costs of pints rise, opening hours be slashed to save costs and even closure of some pubs.

Mr Clancy continued: "They were already attempting to manage increased business costs such as insurance and food so energy costs rising to unprecedented levels will see some pubs deciding to open for shorter hours, or in some cases, close for the winter. We may even see pubs close for good.

"These increases cannot be ‘passed on’ to the consumer, who is already under pressure from rising inflation and an increase in general costs.

"During Covid the Government introduced a series of measures to support pubs that were forced to close, including the commercial rates waiver. Our members will need a similar type intervention over the coming months.