Tom Kerridge: ‘Absolutely no let-up’ for hospitality as costs rise

Tom Kerridge has revealed his insurance bills at the Hand and Flowers pub in Marlow have almost doubled.

Speaking to the BBC about the impact of rising costs since the pandemic, the owner of the two Michelin-starred pub said his insurance bills have increased from £26,500 to £51,500 and coverage for hospitality venues had become “very difficult” to secure.

He said there had been “absolutely no let-up” for hospitality operators who were also facing rising rent and mortgage repayments, energy bills, and food inflation.

Kerridge has been purchasing energy at each of his six pubs and restaurants on a monthly basis to avoid variable rates after his energy bills at the Hand and Flowers rose by 600%.

Last month, Ofgem set out a plan to tackle bad behaviour by energy suppliers towards customers, including urging suppliers to be more flexible with businesses who signed up for peak fixed-rate prices.

The energy market regulator was criticised for not acting sooner by law firm Harcus Parker, who are representing catering businesses in a legal challenge against energy firms.

“There hasn’t been any positivity or good news in three or four years. Every day feels like you’re walking uphill, on glass, barefoot," Kerridge added.

The chef was speaking after the launch of his new eight-part BBC Two programme, The Hidden World of Hospitality, which first aired on 27 July.