With energy bills climbing at an unprecedented rate, fears of pubs being eviscerated echo around the country.
Many pub owners are worried that the multitude of issues including inflation, increasing costs and an energy-zapping winter could push businesses over the edge.
Additionally, the increase in menu prices, with potentially £7 pints looming on the horizon, could see many customers no longer returning to their local.
However, Robert Short, landlord of premium pub the Queens Head in Cambridge, told Proactive that trade “has been buoyant of late. October is usually bit quieter, but it's been pretty good really!"
The Queen’s Head was today confirmed as again making it into the Beer lobby group CAMRA's annual Good Beer Guide, spotlighting the best pubs in the UK.
It is one of only five pubs that found themselves in every edition, since the inception of the book in 1974 coining the name the ‘famous five’, which includes Square and Compass in Dorset; Fuller’s Star Tavern in London; Buckingham Arms in Westminster; and Roscoe Head in Liverpool.
“A lot of customers make a point of trying to visit all five,” said Short.
This latest edition, coinciding with CAMRA's 50th anniversary, features over 4,500 of the best pubs in the country.
With difficult times for pubs currently, CAMRA hopes the guide will inspire support to the much-needed sector.