BEER drinkers are to be hit in the pocket again as Arkell’s raises the price of a pint.

In a leaked memo from an angered landlord it was revealed that the local brewery, which has 30 pubs in the town and more than 100 in total, would be raising the price of a pint by up to 20p.

The brewey has blamed an increase in the minimum wage, high energy costs and an increase in employers’ national insurance contributions for the hike.

From today, a pint of 3Bs in an Arkell’s pub will increase from £2.50 to £2.70 and a price of Stella will go up to £3.70 from £3.30.

Craig Titchener, head of managed houses at the brewery, said: “Arkell’s attempts to keep prices as low as they can for as long as they can and I am sure all Arkell’s landlords respect this.

“However, every business is affected by the current economic downturn.

“We have seen a 28 per cent increase in energy costs, a one per cent increase in national insurance and an increase in business rates and minimum wage – they all add up. We don’t do this lightly.”

The news comes on the back of a number of pubs closing this year after succumbing to financial pressures . They include The George in Eascott Hill, The Bulldog, in Walcot and The Rodbourne Arms, in Cheney Manor Road.

Drinkers are concerned that the high prices in pubs compared with the low prices in supermarkets is going to see the end of the pub trade.

Neil Davidson, 57, of Lawn said: “It is terrible. You just need to look around the pub and it’s empty. It won’t be long until you see more closing.

“The pubs cannot compete with the supermarkets and with the current climate we can’t afford to keep forking out for higher prices in the pub.”

Kevin Jones, 52, of Old Town, said: “It is getting more expensive and we are having to change pubs because we simply cannot afford it. I understand that the breweries are being hit but something needs to be done soon or people will stop coming.”

Ian Stewart, 64, of Old Town said: “I don’t think I’ll stop coming to the pub because you get the atmosphere you can’t get at home. It is hard for the pub trade, though, and I think we’ll keep seeing more and more shut up.”

Beverley Neal, landlord of The Moonrakers, in Cricklade Road, which will see the increase take effect today said she could understand the price rise and it was up to the landlords to find ways of attracting people into the pubs.

“It is tough but if you have something to offer the people coming in you will get the customers,” she said.

“The cost of energy is so expensive for us and obviously Arkell’s are paying for it so it has to come from somewhere – they are a business after all.

“We still have a busy bar, especially at the weekends because we have the TVs and regular events and bar staff who are nice and smiley.”

Chairman of Swindon’s Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), Hans Hoffbauer, said: “I was unaware of an increase to prices at Arkell’s but these things do happen,” he said.

“The breweries are saying that the price of everything is going up which is bad for pub business.

“Pubs are justified to raise the prices but it is unfair on them when supermarkets are able to absorb these increases.

“Breweries have to pass on the costs or they will be making a loss, so it is now up to pubs to think of ways of attracting people in like food or karaoke and music.

“It is sad for the pub trade, you do hear a lot of people complaining they can’t afford to go to the pub any more.”