An Ayrshire restaurant has vowed not to change prices after revealing an astronomical energy bill could cost customers £24 for a portion of chicken tempura.
Tempura who have eateries in Ayr and Kilmarnock have been slapped with a bill FOUR TIMES higher than it was six months ago.
Bosses at the restaurant have revealed that their business was hit with an eye-watering bill costing £3,488.30 for the past month.
The numbers have made grim reading and coupled with the cost of food on the rise bosses have admitted prices would almost double so the popular chains can make the same profit margin as they did back in the spring.
A large chicken tempura currently costs £12.95. Other price hikes could see a pint of Tennent's cost around £7 and a plate of dirty fries could rise to around £8.
However, defiant bosses have vowed not to change any prices amidst a cost of living crisis.
Co-owner Mark Blake has admitted times are tough in the industry as they set out to navigate uncertain times ahead.
Speaking to Ayrshire Live, the restaurateur has told how he and business partner Brandon Van Rensburg have vowed to keep delivering their sought after tempura at a reasonable cost.
Mark said: “It is really tough.
“The latest bill we had for gas alone was four times higher than it was six months ago.
“It means we’d have to charge £24 for a large chicken tempura to make the same margin. That is nearly double for our classic dish.
“We’re not going to increase any of our prices though. We’re in the middle of a cost of living crisis, our customers will be feeling the pinch too. So our prices will be staying the same.”
Mark admits not putting prices up will be a challenge for the chain.
A focus will also be placed on supporting staff with the chain increasing wages to help workers.
And bosses have admitted the current crisis could impact future plans to expand.
Brandon added: “We just have to be so much more careful on everything now. We can’t go crazy – we’ve got to be very careful.
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“We want to expand our business, we’ve not long opened our Kilmarnock one. The energy crisis could definitely potentially hinder any future plans for more Tempura restaurants.”
The venue's revelation on their bills comes as the UK Government announced that energy bills will be cut by around half their expected level over the next six months.
Both Brandon and Mark have welcomed the support.
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