Free Electricity Offer Extended to All Remaining World Cup Matches
A pub rule will be lifted on Monday for pubs in England after a two-month offer from leading energy provider Octopus Energy. Over 350 independent pubs have already received free electricity during England and Scotland matches, saving around £20,000 so far.
Scheme Covers Bronze Medal Match and Final
Octopus Energy has extended its 'Watt a Save' initiative to all remaining World Cup games, including England v France on Saturday in the bronze medal match, before Spain vs Argentina takes place on Sunday in the final. The rules will expire on Monday.
Birmingham Pubs Benefit Significantly
Local Birmingham pubs, including the Birmingham Brewing Company Tap Room, have saved hundreds of pounds on their energy bills thanks to this scheme. So far, pubs have used over 77,500 kWh of electricity during these sessions. That is equivalent to boiling the kettle to make enough cups of tea for every fan in the Atlanta stadium nearly 40 times over.
Energy Costs Hit Small Businesses Hard
A recent YouGov survey found that small businesses in the West Midlands are feeling the squeeze, with half (52%) reporting a negative impact from energy costs in the past year.
Octopus Energy CEO Comments
Zoisa North-Bond, CEO at Octopus Energy for Business, said: “England may have fallen short of the final, but they've brought communities together and given pubs a fantastic boost throughout the tournament. It's been brilliant to see our pub customers saving money on their energy bills through 'Watt a Save', so we're keeping the scheme running until the final whistle to help them make the most of the last weekend of World Cup football.”
Pub Owner Praises Initiative
Paul Harwood, owner of the Birmingham Brewing Company Tap Room, says: "The World Cup has been so important for the pub industry. It's a time where we know we're going to get higher footfall and people will spend more money. We've saved over hundreds on energy bills through the ‘Watt a Save’ initiative, but have made thousands more by being able to get a second screen and open on extra days. It's been a huge boost to the business."
