Keith business owner says "we can't continue like this" after "astronomical" energy price rise
A KEITH business say they are being pushed to the "brink" by "astronomical" energy bills.
Diane Tandon, who owns the Premier Convenience Store in Keith, says her energy bills have increased by 500 per cent this year.
The business was charged £872 in February but saw that increase to £4569 in August.
Diane, who bought the business alongside her husband Munish in 2017, says that if more support is not offered to small businesses then villages like Keith will become "ghost towns".
"We can't continue like this," Diane said.
"Small businesses are closing down and soon there will be none left.
"We're worried because we have staff to pay. One has been at the shop for 28 years and the other over 15 years.
"We're not at that point yet but what happens to people like that because everyone is struggling.
"It is demoralising because we have a family to support as well.
"Small businesses are on the brink and people are not able to pay these bills.
"It's just a vicious cycle.
"We have never had bills like this."
Diane says that the projection for next month's bill stands at £7000 - around 91 pence per unit.
However, Prime Minister Liz Truss announced on Thursday that support for small businesses is on the way and will last for six months.
Mike Duncan, Development Manager for the Federation of Small Businesses in the North East, welcomed the announcement but said it is difficult to judge how the support will help businesses without further details.
“It’s a huge relief for local small businesses to hear confirmation that they will be part of the Government’s plans to help on energy," he said.
"Many businesses across the north of Scotland have been pushed to the brink by crippling energy bills, and so it is welcome that assistance is on the way.
“However, the announcement is very high-level and sparse on detail, so our initial reaction is that we do not have enough information to judge how this will affect our local businesses. The statement appears to have left a number of questions unanswered.
“Primarily, there must not be a cliff-edge in six month’s time, with the withdrawal of support to all but the most “vulnerable” businesses. The definition of which businesses fall in or out of that support will need to be looked at carefully at the three-month review stage, and the FSB will certainly be putting our opinion forward on behalf of the small business community.
“Any future definition of “vulnerable industries” will need to be broad, realistic and fair. The Government should also make good on its commitment for comprehensive help for all small businesses affected.”
Diane added that while the support is welcome, she wants to see more and says that worries remain for small business owners.
"Businesses might be able to survive for the six months but after that is a different matter," she added.
"We need help with costs right now and put a better cap on things. It will never go back to what it was but it needs to be capped because if it was a one off bill then maybe businesses could get by but it's just going up and up.
"All we're asking is to give businesses like us a chance because there is no way that we will survive otherwise."
