Gosport pub warns it could close after its lumped with “eye-watering” £30,000 bill
Power has been turned off at the pub
A Gosport pub owner has warned it could be forced to close after being lumped with an “eye-watering” £30,000 electricity bill.
The Seahorse, in Broadsands Drive, has been left reeling after being handed the massive bill, which is being disputed.
Power has been cut-off at the family-friendly watering hole until the bill is paid as the landlord calls on locals to support them.
In July, the Seahorse was slapped with the bill for £27,000 with that figure now standing at £30,000.
Landlord Kat Blacksmith said it had been “one of the hardest days we've faced as a small, family-run business” after being told to cough up the cash as the power was turned off.
She said in a Facebook post: “Following changes to our electricity account, we've spent months trying to gain access and resolve a dispute over our contract. We were being charged at out-of-contract rates, despite knowing we were still in contract.
“(On Thursday), for the first time, we've finally received our welcome email dated May 2025, and the supplier has acknowledged that we were right about our contract. Unfortunately, despite this, our electricity has still been disconnected, and we've been told it won't be restored until the outstanding £30,000 balance currently being demanded has been paid in full.
“That's an enormous amount for any small business to find, particularly when we've spent months trying to resolve the account issues and disputed charges. We're continuing to work towards a resolution, but in the meantime, we're facing a very real challenge. But we're not giving up.”
Kat said the pub has a separate electricity supply upstairs meaning the venue has been able to keep freezers running and the food truck outside to “keep everyone fed”.
She continued: “We're still here. Still open. And still smiling. What people don't always see behind the food, drinks, events and smiles is just how much it takes to keep a small independent business running.
“For us, that's around £2,300 every single week in rent, tie release and other essential costs, before we even begin to tackle everything else.
“We have an amazing team, a family who depend on this business and a pub we've poured so much time, energy and love into.
“The Seahorse is more than just a business to us. It's somewhere people celebrate birthdays, meet friends, bring their children, make memories and feel welcome. And we're incredibly proud of what we've built here.
“But we have to be honest. If we can't find a way through this, there's a very real possibility we'll have no choice but to close our doors.”
Kat said locals’ “support really could make all the difference” and urged people to come in for a drink, grab some food, leave a review or share any of their posts or recommend them to a friend.
She added: “Keep choosing independent businesses whenever you can. You don't have to spend a fortune to support a small business. Sometimes the smallest gestures make the biggest difference.
“We don't expect anyone to fix this for us. We're doing everything we can to do that ourselves. But if you've ever enjoyed an afternoon, an evening, a meal or a memory at The Seahorse, we'd love you to come and make another one.
“Because right now, every single customer really does count. We're not ready for this to be the end of our story. We believe The Seahorse is worth fighting for. And we hope you do too.
“Thank you to everyone who's supported us, whether you've been here once or a hundred times. It means more than you probably realise.”
A fundraiser has been set up where you can donate at: www.gofundme.com/f/help-save-the-seahorse-our-electricity-crisis