‘Government Greed’: Ex-Masterchef Finalist Chef Tony Rodd Announces Restaurant Closure After Energy Costs Tripled
Ex-MasterChef finalist Tony Rodd and his wife Becky Rodd announced Tuesday night they’ll be closing the doors of their beloved Blackheath eatery, Copper & Ink, as energy bills skyrocket.
The restaurant, a culinary beacon in South East London since its inception, succumbed to a staggering £80,000 energy bill that left Rodd unable to continue his business.
The closure, announced with “heavy hearts,” marks the end of a five-year journey for the couple who grappled with surging costs over the Christmas break but found no respite.
Rodd, a familiar face from the 2015 BBC competition, revealed to The Sun the harrowing details of the energy crisis that besieged their establishment. The monthly direct debit to EDF Energy leaped from a manageable £1,700 to a jaw-dropping £6,400, triggering a financial nightmare for the couple.
“Our yearly estimate from EDF has spiralled up from £20,000 to £80,000,” Rodd said, painting a grim picture of sleepless nights and relentless anxiety about the future. The pandemic’s impact, coupled with these escalating expenses, forced price hikes at Copper & Ink, inadvertently driving customers away.
In a statement posted online the couple expressed their grief and gratitude, as they bid farewell to customers and the venture.
On X, Rodd took blamed the “government’s greed” and “lack of direction” for making business untenable.
In a follow-up video post on X the couple thanked those who had reached out in support.
While they brace for a period of mourning and the daunting task of winding up their dream, they express deep appreciation for the unwavering support and love received over the years.
The closure of Copper & Ink is not just a personal loss for the Rodds but a stark reminder of the broader economic challenges facing the UK, as energy prices continue to soar, affecting businesses and households alike.
