How much does energy cost per month for a pub?

Energy is one of the biggest overheads a pub carries, sitting close behind wages and stock. Cellars run refrigeration around the clock, kitchens draw heavily during service, and long trading hours push up lighting and heating. As a rough guide, most UK pubs spend between £1,200 and £3,500 per month on combined gas and electricity, though the true figure depends on size, whether you serve food, and how modern your equipment is. The figures below are general market-average style estimates for 2026 and are meant as a planning guide rather than a quote.

Typical monthly energy costs by pub size

The single biggest driver of cost is size and whether there is a working kitchen. A wet-led community local behaves very differently from a large food-led gastropub.

Assumptions: electricity 21–24p/kWh with a 46–70p daily standing charge; gas 6.5–8.2p/kWh with a 27–45p daily standing charge. These are illustrative UK business bands for 2026.

Where pubs use the most energy

Pubs have an unusual usage profile because cooling, heating and cooking often run at the same time. The typical split looks like this:

What makes a pub's energy bill go up or down

Two pubs of the same size can pay very different amounts. The main factors that push costs higher are old or poorly maintained cellar cooling, long opening hours, electric-heavy kitchens, draughty period buildings, and running a variable-rate contract instead of a fixed deal. Costs come down with LED lighting, well-maintained refrigeration with good door seals, insulated hot-water systems, switching to a competitive fixed tariff, and turning off non-essential equipment outside service hours.

How to lower energy costs in a pub

Most pubs can trim their bills by a meaningful margin without major capital spend. Servicing cellar cooling and cleaning condenser coils keeps refrigeration efficient, LED lighting cuts a steady daily load, and simple timers stop equipment running overnight for no reason. The largest single win, though, is usually contract-related: moving from a rolled-over variable rate onto a competitive fixed deal often saves between 8% and 18%. Comparing suppliers regularly, rather than letting a contract auto-renew, is the habit that protects margin over time.

How to estimate your own pub's bill

Take your monthly kWh from a recent bill or smart meter, multiply electricity usage by your unit rate (for example 6,000 kWh × 22p = £1,320), do the same for gas, then add the daily standing charges across the month and apply VAT. That gives a realistic monthly figure you can sense-check against the ranges in the table above.

Frequently asked questions about pub energy costs

How much does a small pub spend on energy each month?

A small wet-led local typically spends around £700–£1,300 per month on combined gas and electricity, depending on opening hours and how much refrigeration runs overnight.

Why is cellar cooling such a big part of the bill?

Cellar cooling and refrigeration run continuously, day and night, to protect beer and stock. Together they often account for 25–35% of a pub's total energy use, and worn door seals or dirty coils push that even higher.

Do food-led pubs cost more to run?

Yes. Adding a working kitchen can raise monthly energy costs by several hundred pounds, especially where electric ovens, grills and extraction run through long service periods.

Can switching supplier really cut my bill?

Often, yes. Pubs moving from an auto-renewed variable rate onto a competitive fixed contract typically save 8–18%, depending on current pricing and usage.