High-street squeeze
Nearly seven in ten small businesses have delayed or cancelled growth plans in the past year, according to a new survey of 526 firms by Enterprise Nation, Square and EDF Small Business. Hospitality and high-street operators feel it most: 77 per cent have put expansion on hold, 42 per cent have cut customer-facing staff, and 22 per cent say more than a quarter of nearby shops stand empty.
Energy and the hidden hit
Energy remains a poorly managed drag. Businesses that could quantify the impact said rising bills had already trimmed margins by around 18 per cent. Yet three-quarters are unaware of efficiency grants or reliefs they could claim, and 69 per cent did not know that a 20 per cent cut in energy use can lift profits as much as a 5 per cent sales increase.
Claire Nutt, Director of Small Business at EDF, said: “Independent retailers and small businesses are the engine of our high streets, yet three quarters are unaware of the efficiency support available to them. That's a missed opportunity: even modest changes to lighting, heating and equipment can deliver meaningful savings. We're committed to helping business owners understand their options, from energy audits to available grants, so they can cut costs and protect their margins at a time when every penny counts.”
What firms want next
Reducing VAT is the top policy ask, backed by 37 per cent overall and 54 per cent of high-street businesses. Most say they would use any saving to absorb other rising costs rather than cut prices for customers.
We’ve covered how EDF and Wadi are offering small businesses a free energy check that flags above-average costs and points to practical fixes. If you run a small business, compare business energy deals here to see what’s available in your area.
