Pub launches ‘dining in the dark’ evenings to battle energy bills

Capitalising on the energy crisis, one pub in Northamptonshire will be switching the lights off each Thursday evening this November and serving customers a four-course dinner by candlelight.

The Tollemache Arms in Harrington, Northamptonshire will be accompanying the food and flickering candles with music to add to the ambience. While it might seem almost romantic, or even a nostalgic throwback to the power cuts of the 1970s, the measure was devised to raise awareness of the crippling energy costs that many pubs in the UK face this winter. According to research published in The Telegraph, the average energy bill for a hospitality business has risen by 258% this year.

Chris Reed, retail development manager at Wells & Co., the group responsible for the pub, said: “It’s great to see The Tolle [The Tollemache Arms] taking some initiative and not only hosting a really good night for guests, but really bringing the hospitality industry energy crisis to the forefront of everyone’s minds. The government must take action on further supporting our industry and our pubs otherwise it will be chaos.”

It is also hoped that the unique dining experience will increase footfall to the pub. If it is a success, we may well see more and more pubs offer “dining in the dark” nights to save money on lighting.

One major lighting change pubs can embrace to reduce energy consumption is to swap out inefficient lightbulbs for LEDs. To read nine more tips for hospitality businesses looking to cut heating and electricity costs, click here.

In related news, one pub in North Yorkshire recently gained attention for its decision to abandon paper menus due to inflation forcing prices to continuously rise.

 

Leave your reply

Most Recent Stories

London's hottest restaurant openings: December 2023

Christmas is the time of year to eat, drink and be merry – here are some of the new London spots worth dropping by this festive season.

Tributes paid to Russell Norman

The restaurateur credited with transforming London's dining scene with the opening of Polpo, Spuntino and Brutto, died last week at the age of 57.

Mendoza sweeps up Michelin stars

In the very first edition of the Michelin Guide in Argentina, Mendoza took home four of the six stars in an awards ceremony last week firmly placing the wine region at the top of any gastronome’s bucket list of places to visit.

WLC Eats: The Clove Club, Shoreditch

Douglas Blyde heads to what was once Shoreditch Town Hall to visit The Clove Club. While there, he explores the two Michelin-starred restaurant's "masterful" and "memorable" tasting menu, and raises the question of why chef-patron Isaac McHale hasn't written a book yet.

Norfolk pub owner uses canoe in face of floods

A pub landlord in Surlingham, Norfolk, estimated losses of £80,000 over the last two years due to floods, and has had to employ one unconventional method to transport deliveries and staff to work.

Most Recent Stories

London's hottest restaurant openings: December 2023

Christmas is the time of year to eat, drink and be merry – here are some of the new London spots worth dropping by this festive season.

Tributes paid to Russell Norman

The restaurateur credited with transforming London's dining scene with the opening of Polpo, Spuntino and Brutto, died last week at the age of 57.

Mendoza sweeps up Michelin stars

In the very first edition of the Michelin Guide in Argentina, Mendoza took home four of the six stars in an awards ceremony last week firmly placing the wine region at the top of any gastronome’s bucket list of places to visit.

WLC Eats: The Clove Club, Shoreditch

Douglas Blyde heads to what was once Shoreditch Town Hall to visit The Clove Club. While there, he explores the two Michelin-starred restaurant's "masterful" and "memorable" tasting menu, and raises the question of why chef-patron Isaac McHale hasn't written a book yet.

Norfolk pub owner uses canoe in face of floods

A pub landlord in Surlingham, Norfolk, estimated losses of £80,000 over the last two years due to floods, and has had to employ one unconventional method to transport deliveries and staff to work.