Businesses and shoppers in Arnold have spoken about new plans to help struggling businesses survive the cost of living crisis across the country. As households continue to struggle with the price of energy bills, new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, has capped the energy price for homes to £2,500.
Businesses are also spending thousands of pounds more on electricity and gas, with many having no choice but to pass the increase on to customers by raising prices. As a result the government has introduced a new Energy Bill Relief Scheme.
Ms Truss said: “I understand the huge pressure businesses, charities and public sector organisations are facing with their energy bills, which is why we are taking immediate action to support them over the winter and protect jobs and livelihoods. At the same time, we are boosting Britain’s homegrown energy supply so we fix the root cause of the issues we are facing and ensure greater energy security for us all.”
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To assist businesses during the cost of living crisis, the government has set a Supported Wholesale Price – which means businesses will pay a maximum of £211 per MWh for electricity and £75 per MWh for gas, less than half the wholesale prices were expected to be this winter.
So far, the cap for businesses will last 6 months. In Arnold, businesses are feeling the brunt of the cost of living crisis.
Bambos Charalambous, 51, is the owner of Blue Circles Fish Bar, which has been described as a “much loved” Arnold takeaway. Bambos said: “Prices need to drop down as much as they can.
“Gas, electricity, water. It’s been horrendous here - and we need help in the long term too, not just six months.”
He continued: “There’s no profit in this anymore, we’re working all day, all night and everythings spent on bills, we’ve had no choice but to put our prices up.” In June, it was reported that some fish and chips shops have had to raise the price of their fish and chips to £12 a portion.
The owner of the KODO Barber Shop in Front Street is also struggling. Harpem Omeri, 31 has said for the past few months his shop has been quiet.
He said: “Bills have been very expensive for the shop, it’s gone very quiet. Before the lockdown, it was much better and now, things are so expensive.”
Addressing the new help for businesses he said: “That still wouldn’t help us, rent is over £1,000 here and we don’t have heating inside but still energy is expensive.”
Shoppers are also concerned for the shops that they use on a regular basis. Noticing more empty units and shops closing down, many people are vouching to support local business for as long as they can.
Anna Chapman, 45 works in a pub and has lived in Arnold her whole life. She said: “All over Nottingham you’re seeing more and more empty shops, businesses closing down. When they all close down, what are we meant to do? We need our local shops.
"All the big chains can survive through this but it’s our local shops I worry about. I try my best to support my local shops as much as possible, I go into the big supermarkets sometimes too but spending your money and knowing it’s putting food on the table literally for families is worth it.”
Kyle Lindall, 28 lives in Arnold. He said: “I don’t have a business myself but I can only imagine what they [businesses] are going through.
"All I have to do is look at my own energy bill. I’m guessing businesses are paying 10 times more than households.
"It isn’t fair. Blue Circles is much loved in Arnold, they have their regulars and there’s so many other shops with proper community minded people, serving us and making a living.”
The builder continued: “It’s good that businesses are now getting help but there’s a lot that have already had to close down.”
Federation of Independent Retailers president Jason Birks said: “It is pleasing to see our calls for a reduction in energy bills and a cap on tariffs have finally been answered. However, it is vitally important that this is not just a quick fix.
“The government has said it will review the situation in three months, and we need firm assurances that ongoing financial support will be available as long as it is needed to see us through this crisis.
“It is about the survival of small businesses, helping them to remain at the heart of their local communities and continue to provide vital services.”
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