NHBF joins joint letter to plead for urgent action against rising energy costs
By Chloe Randall | 14 June 2023 | Movers & Shakers, News
A number of trade associations which represent high-street businesses including hair & beauty salons, pubs, breweries, local shops and other small businesses have written to the Chair of the newly formed Energy Security Committee to plead for urgent action to save them from the energy crisis.
Contributing to the joint letter to Angus MacNeil MP, Chair of the newly formed cross-party Energy Security and Net Zero Committee include organisations such as the National Hair & Beauty Federation, British Beer and Pub Association, The Association of Convenience Stores and the Federation of Small Businesses.
In the letter, the organisations outlined the unprecedented cost pressures arising from business energy supply, urging the committee to run an urgent inquiry into supplier behaviour to help save small businesses across the country from being destroyed from the rising costs currently experienced.
The letter also warned of the potential huge losses that could be made to local high streets if nothing is done to protect the small businesses from high costs.
In a joint statement, a representative on behalf of all the organisations said:
“Business owners across the country are feeling powerless at the hands of energy suppliers. They have seen energy bills rise exponentially in the past year and despite heading into warmer months this pain is set to continue. Some businesses had little or no choice but to lock into extremely costly contracts at the height of the energy crisis and will and many will be paying over the odds for the next 12 months and beyond.
“These local businesses are well-loved assets, central pillars in their neighbourhoods, and if it weren’t for energy bills wiping out their profits would be running successfully thanks to the ongoing custom and support of their communities.
“We are urging the Committee to use its powers to recognise this crisis as a real tangible threat to the existence of businesses across the country and convene an urgent inquiry into the conduct of suppliers.”