The Goth, Prestonpans - Just Another Statistic In The European Energy Crisis

The European energy crisis is having a devastating impact on businesses and individuals right across Europe. Here in Scotland the hospitality industry is being badly hit. It is forecast that literally thousands of public houses will be forced to close their doors over Winter because they cannot afford the drastic rise in the cost of the energy - gas and electricity - that it takes for them to remain open. Many, like The Goth in Prestonpans, will shut in a few months time. Will new tenants be found who can absorb unmanageable energy prices? This energy crisis has been brought about by consecutive UK governments who have thought it acceptable to rely on other countries for gas supplies and basic energy needs. What an utterly ridiculous idea. How can you possibly call yourself a country when you are reliant on other countries for such a crucial and basic commodity? All of these Westminster governments have let Scotland, and indeed all of the UK, down. A tripling or quadrupling in the cost of gas or electricity is simply not manageable or affordable by most businesses and individuals. It is not possible to absorb these gross increases and remain a viable business. No business can sustain constant losses where every hope of a profit and every penny of savings and bank loans is being used to pay for energy. It is impossible. The Goth in Prestonpans will shut its doors on January 1st 2023. £8,000 per month for energy is too much. Many other business will go the same way and be forced to shut forever. Is it not about time the UK Government started acting like a proper government, started acting responsibly, and pulled its finger out?