This World Cup, Octopus Energy for Business is putting pubs in the spotlight, offering free electricity on evenings England and Scotland are playing, through the ‘Watt a Save’ initiative.
Pubs can get five hours of free electricity on nights England and Scotland are playing. Image Credit: Octopus Energy for Business
Like Happy Hour, but for power: pubs showing the England and Scotland matches can get five hours of free power from 7 pm to midnight on game nights while fans cheer on.
‘Watt a Save’ is available to all pubs with an Octopus Energy for Business energy tariff and a smart meter, giving a much-needed boost at a time when the sector is feeling the squeeze from rising costs.
Pubs can make even more matchday savings by shifting energy usage into these hours, like cooling kegs and getting big screens blazing.
It comes as a recent YouGov survey found hospitality firms are struggling more than other sectors, with nearly three-quarters (74%) reporting a negative impact from energy costs over the past year.
Eligible pub customers can sign up here to opt in to the scheme.
Zoisa North-Bond, CEO at Octopus Energy for Business, said: “Pubs do more than serve drinks – they're where friends catch up and, during a big tournament, where entire rooms celebrate and despair in unison. But like many businesses, they've been feeling the squeeze from rising costs, including energy bills.
“With fans set to head to their local to watch the World Cup, we wanted to give pubs something to celebrate too. If we can help keep a bit more money in the till, that's a win in anyone's book.”
Declan Perkins, owner of Clissold Park Tavern, The Lauriston and The Regent pubs in London, said: “The World Cup is one of our busiest times – so free electricity on the evenings England and Scotland are playing is a real help as we focus on giving our customers a brilliant match day experience.”
Pubs taking part in ‘Watt a Save’ can continue to benefit from flexible energy via Octopus Energy for Business’s ‘Shape Shifters: Trio’ tariff, offering lower electricity rates between 7 pm and midnight, with businesses saving an average of 7.5% on their annual bills. Those wanting to go even further can get ‘Shape Shifters: Agile’, which updates rates every 30 minutes to match real-time wholesale costs.
Many hospitality businesses are a natural fit for smart tariffs because they tend to use more power during cheaper evening hours. By shifting energy-intensive tasks into these off-peak times, they can unlock even bigger savings.
‘Watt a Save’ is the latest example of Octopus Energy’s support for local communities. Alongside helping pubs, the company has already given free football kits to 4,700 grassroots teams across the UK – with plans to support even more teams next season.