“To the people of this community, the Aber Hotel is a hub, not a pub” – rising energy costs threatening future

Over the last 19 months, the Aber Hotel in Abertridwr has offered three of its rooms, free of charge, for use as a foodbank run by Aber Valley Football Club.

The foodbank has provided hundreds of parcels to dozens of families, with demand currently higher than ever due to the cost of living crisis, according to club committee member Andrew Hart.

Andrew told Caerphilly Observer how he is struggling to cope with all the requests: “Last week we set a record for parcels requested at 30. I haven’t even opened up next week’s book yet and I’ve already had 14 orders.

“The type of people we’re talking about here aren’t who you expect. They’re working class families with jobs and mortgages. Everyone is struggling.

“To the people of this community, the Aber Hotel is a hub, not a pub.”

However, the cost of living crisis is also threatening the pub – and therefore the food bank – which could be forced to permanently close its doors.

This comes after SSE Energy Supply hiked what was on average a £650 monthly electricity bill to more than £4,100.

Lucy Henderson Midgley, owner of The Aber Hotel, said she “didn’t know whether to laugh or cry” when opening her energy bill.

“It was shocking. If this is the future…we’re finished.

“We’ve already begun difficult conversations about the possibility of shutting. After seeing the number, we sat in the pub and turned all the lights off. It was desperate.”

After contacting SSE and confirming the figure, Lucy explored the option of moving from a variable rate to a fixed rate.

“They wanted a £7,000 deposit up front,” Lucy said. “That just isn’t an option. We feel like we are being held to ransom.”

In a statement, SSE said: “Wholesale gas and power prices have reached unprecedented highs due to a combination of global factors over the last twelve months, most recently the war in Ukraine.

“Like other energy suppliers, we have had no choice but to pass some of these increases through to our customers.”

Speaking about what the pub’s closure would mean for the food bank, Andrew said: “It would be over. I’d probably try and run it from my own house but it would be impossible.

“The great thing about the Aber Hotel is that they let us have the rooms for free. If we had to add in the cost of rent it just wouldn’t work. 

“I hate having to run the food bank, but it’s essential. It would kill me if we had to stop.”

Dean Wood, manager of Aber Valley FC, questioned the steep increase in the bill and said: “It’s ridiculous. The pub doesn’t even open until 5:30pm on weekdays. It doesn’t make sense.”

Just last year, Aber Valley FC were awarded the Community Club of the Year award by the Football Association of Wales, thanks to the work they’ve been able to carry out at the Aber Hotel.

This included a boot room and a ‘Gift a child’ scheme, where the community could donate presents before Christmas to help struggling families.

“We’re out here trying to do our bit, then we’re getting stung with stuff like this. It makes you think,” Dean concluded.