UK Small Biz Energy Crunch: A Breaking Point
Picture this: a handful of coffee shops, a quirky hair‑dresser, a weekend barbershop – all staring at a Bitcoin‑sized energy bill that’s shot up by £100 per year or more. That’s the reality for 77 % of the 1,000 small businesses surveyed in Utilita Energy’s latest Powering the UK High Street Report.
Why the Frown?
- Energy prices are inflating faster than your favourite donuts.
- Retailers and cafés snap up £500‑plus extra fees on a stingy 10 % of the target cohort.
- Nearly a third of micro‑businesses (39 %) are forced to let employees go just to keep the lights on.
- A half (48 %) are cutting work hours because their staff can’t keep up with the new cost curve.
Keeping Your Business in the Black
Even though the regulator Ofgem is sounding an alarm on the micro‑business market, 66 % of these tiny ventures feel the wind blows in the wrong direction: unexpected fees, sneaky contracts, and jumping terms that standardise cryptic energy tariffs.
Shockingly, 37 % of them still face large upfront deposits—like being handed a wallet full of peanuts to secure a power supply. Plus 34 % are slapped with high tariffs because the creditors see them as “credit risks.”
Utilita’s Perspective
Bill Bullen, Utilita’s CEO, shares a glimmer of hope: 68 % of respondents say they get a fair deal from their provider. Still, he’s all “It’s a good sign, but loads more work lies ahead.” Bullen points out that 29 % of businesses battle inflexible payment terms; 24 % face crippling rates. “This isn’t fair,” he says – and we all agree.
Some Numbers to Keep in Mind
- Over 5.7 million small businesses existed last year, making up 96 % of all UK enterprises.
- The population dipped by 0.5 % since 2017, marking the first decline in two decades.
- These stats spell out the high‑street reality: plenty of closures, but still a booming community of micro‑staples.
Utilita’s commitment? They’re supporting 800,000+ domestic and commercial customers across Great Britain with no upfront deposits and tech‑friendly packages. Their mission? “Make energy fair for micro‑businesses, so they don’t starve while the economy keeps dancing to a different beat.”
Stay tuned and keep your coffee levels up – we’re watching the energy buzz together!
