We've seen plenty of businesses fall victim to rising energy prices recently, even with government intervention to reduce the bills.
It's fair to say that the announcement this week of a much less generous support package did not go down well with many firms - even if everyone accepts the current scheme is massively expensive.
Under an example given by the Treasury, a pub which currently receives ￡3,100 in support each month will, from April, receive only ￡190.
The Federation of Small Businesses' development manager for our area, Nicky Kildunne, was among those predicting many businesses would fold. We gathered reaction in Dorset
and Hampshire
.
- We had several encouraging pieces of news in town centres this week. In Poole, footfall was up
by a pretty healthy margin during the Christmas shopping period, while Christchurch was among the towns reported to have seen a big surge in activity
as a result of flexible working. In Bournemouth, HSBC is investing in its town centre branch
and moving it to the former Ann Summers shop (story by Matt Simpson), while a furniture retailer is opening
in Ringwood (story by Andrew Goldman).
- The boss of the digital challenger Starling Bank expects pre-tax profits to quadruple
this financial year. It saw staff numbers in Southampton rise from 320 to 440 in 2022.
- A delegation went to Parliament to lobby for a Great South West
, which would include Dorset and is intended to rival the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine.
- The president of P&O Cruises has said 99.9 per cent of passengers on the Arvia enjoyed its maiden voyage
without a hitch despite some "bugs in the system". (Story by Ben Fishwick.)
- The operator of Southampton's deep water container port says it had its greenest year
ever after eliminating diesel from its operations and cutting emissions.
- The owner of a home and online tutoring franchise in Southampton has returned from Florida with an international award
.
- A Dorset business that designs and builds skateparks has won a clutch of awards for a ￡17m multi-storey park
in Felixstowe.
- Dorset-headquartered retail chain Hobbycraft saw a big rise in trade
over the Christmas period as people turned to mindful activities such as crafting. Sales of jigsaws were up by an astonishing 220 per cent.
- Most people owed money
following the collapse of one of Bournemouth's first and best-known digital agencies are unlikely to see any of it.
- And the number of women applying for part-time jobs at insurance giant Zurich UK has risen by 95 per cent
in a year after its move to advertise all roles for part-time or flexible work.
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