However, few details were given on how it would work and several business owners said they were concerned about the limited time frame of the help being offered.
Andrew Crook, fish and chip shop owner
Andrew Crook was left disappointed by the government’s announcement of energy support. His verdict: there was “no comfort there at all” for business. “There was no detail and to be honest it didn’t go far enough,” said the fish and chip shop owner. “This was their opportunity to take the pressure off small businesses and in my opinion they haven’t done that.” “It takes the pressure off for six months, but only six months,” added Crook, who runs Skippers of Euxton, a chippy near Chorley in Lancashire, and who speaks for the industry as chairman of the National Federation of Fish Friers. He said his members were “outraged” and did not believe the support would cover their rising energy costs: “I can’t even tell you some of the messages I’ve been sent while [the parliamentary debate] was happening “I talk to people every day who are losing their business and who don’t know if they will have a business at Christmas.” Speaking while frying lunch orders for customers, Crook said he hoped the support for households would mean consumers would have some extra disposable income. “It’s great that they’re putting money in the public’s pockets. This was of prime importance. There is no point in having a business if there are no customers,” he said.
Will Beckett, co-founder of Hawksmoor restaurants
Will Beckett: hospitality ‘must be taken seriously as an industry at risk’. Photo: Martin Godwin/The Guardian Will Beckett, co-founder and chief executive of international steakhouse chain Hawksmoor, welcomed the intervention for small businesses but said it was vital the hospitality industry was seen as a vulnerable sector that deserved continued support after the first six months. “Hospitality does something nationally in terms of employment and what it brings to communities that very few, if any, other industries can really claim,” he said. “For this reason, in addition to its ability to contribute to Truss’s growth agenda, it must be taken seriously as an industry at risk. It’s a high-energy, high-employment industry.”
Steve West, owner of The Pudding Compartment Bakery
Steve West: “My energy broker told me that if I renewed my rate today it would be nine times what I’m paying.” Photo: Jill Jennings/The Guardian Steve West was disappointed by the lack of detail in the support announcement. “There weren’t really any answers for us – the jury is still out,” said the owner of The Pudding Compartment, a bakery company based in Flintshire, north-east Wales. “But I welcome what’s happening for households as it affects my employees.” The company, which employs 25 people, makes sweet treats such as brownies, cookies and muffins, which are sold in cafes and canteens. While West said he was “lucky” to have two years left on his energy contract, the quotes he received recently meant he had to put plans in place to expand his facilities and on-ice workforce. “The energy broker told me that if I renewed my rate today it would be nine times what I’m paying.” Subscribe to Business Today Get ready for the business day – we’ll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. West said the support offered to businesses would provide “some relief” for those whose energy contracts are currently up for renewal, but added: “If you were considering any major investment decisions, you would have to delay them. see how the situation develops.”
Chris Jowsey, managing director of Admiral Taverns
Chris Jowsey: “Many community pubs will now be able to continue trading in the coming winter months and local jobs will be preserved.” Photo: Andy Hall/The Observer The boss of 1,000-strong pub chain Admiral Taverns, who earlier in the summer criticized the “vacuum” in government as pubs faced rising energy bills, said some pubs would now survive the winter they otherwise would not have. Chris Jowsey said: “The Prime Minister’s intervention today shows she understands the damage huge energy price rises would do to licensees, the communities and the pubs that serve them. By capping business energy prices, many community pubs will now be able to continue trading in the coming winter months and local jobs will be preserved. “The Prime Minister’s recognition that local pubs will need further support is also welcome, and we hope to now hear more about business rates, VAT and lower beer taxes in the coming weeks.”
James Tear, head of alloys company The Solpro Group
James Tear: “Gives us some breathing room” James Tear, chief executive of Solpro Group, an engineering and manufacturing business specializing in precious metal alloys, said he was “delighted” the government could offer some support. “It’s only six months, but it gives us some breathing room,” he said. “A fourfold or fivefold increase in energy bills has an impact on any business.” Tear is the lead cutter for the Society of Cutlers, representing more than 300 members in the South Yorkshire area. “The majority of us are higher energy users,” Tear said. “We are waiting with bated breath to hear what the definition of vulnerable is [sector] is.”
