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UR E ER YO E AP FR L P CA LO
Times
Wednesday August 31 | 2022
Introduces
Gin & Jazz
BOOK ONLINE AND SAVE*
£12
Special Offer
Festival 2022
using Code
CRAFT2022*
O N T H E PA N T I L E S
CubaLibre in association with
Dark Spirit
SATURDAY 3RD & SUNDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER
11am - 7pm Great Food • Top Sounds Chill-Out • Funkster DJ
Small businesses face closure as energy bills increase by four times By Victoria Roberts
FREE EVENT
8 – 11 SEPT
FESTIVAL FEVER: Local & Live returned to Calverley Grounds at the weekend drawing thousands of music lovers to the town. Full Story P6-7
LOCAL firms are facing energy price rises of more than four times the previous rate and could soon start to fail without government help when bills land this winter, local business leaders say. The Government energy regulator announced last week that it would raise the ‘energy price cap’ for households to £3,549 per year – an increase of 80 per cent – from October 1. But the price cap only covers domestic customers, meaning businesses and other organisations in Tunbridge Wells are facing huge energy price hikes of over four times their previous bills when they renew fixed price contracts. Alex Greig, owner of Fuggles Beer Café and vice chair of the RTW Business Improvement District (BID), surveyed local firms and found 95 per cent are
unable to afford such hikes. He said: “I fixed my energy prices for three years around two-and-a-half years ago, so will need to renew in April. “I am looking at [paying] a tariff around four to five times higher – and that’s being conservative.
‘If we’re looking at bills of £80,000-£100,000 – we’re dead’ “But if we’re looking at bills of £80,000£100,000 – we’re dead,” he said. He added that he had taken measures to reduce energy consumption ‘but there was only so much you can do’. “Over in [Fuggles Beer Café] Tonbridge, I am going to be taking out 20 per cent of the lightbulbs.
“But it’s very, very difficult to make a real hit [to costs]. The biggest expense is fridges and restaurants can’t start turning off fridges.” Speaking to other local hospitality businesses, he says he has found 75 per cent have already had to renew energy contracts or are due to renew in the next 12 months. “In many cases the quotes have already risen by three or four times. In monetary terms, this is akin to an increase of over £100,000 per annum,” he said. “It’s not hit that many people so far, but it’s brutal.” Robin Porter, managing director of Pig & Porter in Chapman Way said he expected numerous businesses to fail due to the price hikes.
Hever Castle & Gardens TN8 7NG
*Offer codes valid for adults on dates of craft fair only. Craft Fair entry included in normal Garden admission charges (Garden open until 6pm daily)
See website for details
9.30am – 5.30pm Daily
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