Beth Doherty
Local business owners in Salisbury have shared their current energy bill costs and forecasts as they call on Salisbury’s MP John Glen to help tackle the increasing energy prices.
In recent months, energy prices have sharply risen as a result of an increase in demand for gas when COVID restrictions eased, plus uncertainty around supplies from Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine.
In England, Scotland and Wales, the energy price cap is the maximum amount suppliers can charge customers for each unit of energy. Today (26th August 2022), households in the UK will know how much their energy bills are set to increase as a new energy price cap, which will come into effect in October, is announced.
Locally, independent businesses in the city centre, like many households in the UK, are already feeling the pinch, as they are faced with huge increases in their energy bills.
Ethan Davids owner of nole pizza in Salisbury said, “Energy costs at our little pizza shop in Salisbury have soared by over 300% in the last year. Our July 2021 bill was £455 and this July’s bill was £2100. July is a relatively good month for us in terms of energy because we don’t need to heat the shop.
“We’re currently forecasting an extra £20,000 plus to be spent on energy for this financial year. Fixing rates at this stage seems illogical, but keeping variable tariffs carries risk too. Businesses of nole pizza’s size do not have the revenue potential to ride this storm.”
Ethan, alongside other local business owners, are calling on Salisbury’s local MP John Glen to help tackle this issue in central government.
“So far, the government which John Glen was until very recently a part of has introduced interest rate hikes to deal with the crisis. This is like fighting fire with a hammer. He left government to focus on the needs of his constituency, yet so far has spent his time campaigning for his preferred Prime Minister.
“Our local MP also needs to consider employment that is fulfilled by businesses of our size and bigger when he decides not to act.
“Government is the only institution now placed to offer any kind of support and this is why I’m appealing to our local MP to do something. He should be lobbying for the interests of his constituents. If there is no roadmap ahead to alleviate pressures caused by this crisis then we need to ask what it is that he does.”
Ethan continues, “Whilst the long-term viability of our business becomes increasingly bought into question, it’s time for our MP to be honest. Was his motivation in leaving government more to do with furthering his own political career? If the answer is yes, then he has done so at the expense of his constituents.
“If the answer is no, then I call on John Glen to lay out how he intends to support businesses like ours in the midst of this energy crisis. I would invite John Glen to get in touch directly. In the meantime, we’re dimming the lights.”
Another local business feeling the effects of the energy crisis is Seven Ivy Hairdressing.
Salon owner, Dan Smith said, “Our new contract has gone from 35p per kilowatt to 65p – so it has nearly doubled.
“How are we supposed to sustain this? We can’t afford these costs. We have no price cap on business rates, and being a salon, everything’s electric.
“What can change or what will change for us to carry on? If we have another price hike or six months down the line the price doesn’t drop, we don’t know where we’re going to be because we can’t afford to sustain this.
“This is the first time in 20 odd years of my career that I’ve actually ever been concerned about the future of business.”
Dan would like to see more support for small businesses during this tricky time.
“I think for one there should be a price cap for commercial like there is for residential. There should also be a grant put in place like they are offering us at home.“
For Dan, his message to John Glen is, “be a voice for small independents.”
“He’s our Salisbury member of parliament and he should look around our city and realize that a lot of us are struggling still from COVID let alone now when we get hit with a huge amount of bills every month.
“People in government and people in parliament don’t really understand how much we live day to day as a small business. If the bills double again, that will be it.
“So I think if John Glen could just put our opinion across and just try and do something, anything. I don’t really don’t know what can change, but something does drastically need to change ASAP.”
In response to Ethan and Dan’s comments, John Glen said, “The Ukraine crisis has caused a significant impact on energy prices which has led to high levels of inflation and acute cost of living challenges.
“I visited the market for my weekly shop and discussed the concerns of traders with them directly and I am happy to meet anyone who wants to discuss their specific experiences and concerns.
“The Government has already set out a £37 billion package of support but I know much more help will be needed in the coming months to respond to the rapidly changing situation.
“I will be continuing to meet with individual constituents and businesses to ensure additional support reaches local businesses at this very challenging time.”
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Andy Munns
