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Landlord of Rose in Bloom in Seasalter, Whitstable, cancels Sky Sports after bill more than doubles to almost £30,000 a year

A pub landlord pulled the plug on Sky Sports after his yearly bill for the TV package more than doubled to almost £30,000.

Steve Prigg, who has run the Rose in Bloom in Seasalter for almost 30 years, criticised the broadcaster for targeting an industry already struggling with rising costs.

Rose and Bloom landlord Steve Prigg says he’s not prepared to pay the eye-watering costs so has cancelled his contract
Rose and Bloom landlord Steve Prigg says he’s not prepared to pay the eye-watering costs so has cancelled his contract

He spoke out after being told his monthly payments would be rising from £1,062 to £2,433 when his current deal ends in March - an increase of 129%.

The company attempted to justify the staggering hike by saying it would be screening more live sport during 2025, including a 70% jump in the number of Premier League football matches being shown.

But Mr Prigg cancelled his contract with Sky, saying: “I’ve been a customer with them ever since I took over the pub from my dad, but I’m not paying that much.

“We do have a few customers who like their football, as do I, but that’s a ridiculous amount.

“On top of all the other rising costs like utilities and wages, it’s just not viable to pay a further £35,000 for the year for Sky Sports, when you include the VAT.

“I already pay for TNT Sports and, frankly, I’m really not prepared to pay any more than I am already for Sky.

The Rose in Bloom in Seasalter, near Whitstable, attracts customers for football matches, particularly during the week
The Rose in Bloom in Seasalter, near Whitstable, attracts customers for football matches, particularly during the week

“I’m a Spurs supporter, so it’s making painful viewing anyway.”

After KentOnline ran a story about Mr Prigg’s concerns, Sky offered him a package at just £92 a month more than his current deal, which he accepted.

Many pubs rely on the crowds drawn in by live sport - particularly Premier League and Champions League football - so the broadcaster is able to charge a premium.

Thorley Taverns, which runs pubs across Thanet, shows Sky Sports at 14 of its sites.

Director Phil Thorley described the cost as a “necessary evil” to bring in customers, adding that its venues are currently mid-contract so will avoid any rises for now.

Elsewhere, Anita Turner, who has run The Cricketers in Canterbury for 13 years, says she forks out £1,300 a month for Sky Sports.

“I ditched it before when they previously put the price up, but came back to it because it does bring customers in who spend quite well,” she said.

The landlady of the Cricketers pub in Canterbury, Anita Turner, says she will stick with Sky unless the cost becomes unviable
The landlady of the Cricketers pub in Canterbury, Anita Turner, says she will stick with Sky unless the cost becomes unviable

“The trouble is, all the other costs with running a pub have gone up.

“I’ll probably stick with it now unless they ramp it up to an unacceptable level when it’s just not viable.”

Some pubs choose to take a risk and screen football matches through an illegal feed or standard household package, which can cost less than £50 a month.

But it can prove expensive when caught, with pub owners in Kent previously fined more than £10,000 for broadcasting games unlawfully.

Sky says some of its Sky Business TV customers – including Mr Prigg – will see an increase to the price of their package from March.

A spokesperson said: “We aim to keep prices as low as possible while still delivering the content and support that adds value to our customers’ business.”

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