INCOMING

What is the biggest change you will make this autumn with regard to the energy crisis?

The big question

Jointheconversation

/businesscornwall @biz_cornwall /businesscornwall/

businesscornwall.co.uk

BARNETT PHOTO STUDIO

RICHARD WOODS

Rewind Radio

The biggest change we can influence is to ensure we keep our costs down to those who wish to use us. As businesses need to make new decisions on where to invest their marketing budgets, we will continue to be an affordable option.

We are in a managed office on a fixed term contract which means we are sheltered regarding the increased energy costs. This will allow us to maintain our rates. Whilst costs increase for other businesses, the first thing they will need to consider is where they can make savings. Normally, businesses stop spending and marketing is the first place they choose to make cuts. This is bad news, they should in fact continue spending, but review all options. The issues they face is by reducing or not marketing they could lose market share. Long term this could be severely detrimental.

We have very affordable options which should mean they can continue exposing brands, products or services which will prevent them from falling away to their competition.

KARIS MATIK

Phoneta

For us there is not one big change we can make, energy makes up most of our business expenses and being a 24-hour office, everything is always on. However, we are looking at ways to reduce our usage, not only due to the energy crisis but also to reduce our impact on the environment. We already have solar panels installed in the building which provide a portion of our energy and we may look to invest in more for the future. We’ll also be assessing who provides our energy and looking at the options available once the new prices are set and the market has settled. For our staff, we give them the option of working from home or being office based depending on how that works better for them with the cost increases in fuel and energy prices. It’s been a difficult time full of uncertainty, but we’ll keep assessing on an ongoing basis, and do what we can to keep our team and our customers happy.

TOM SMITH

Miller Commercial

At home we will be focussing much more on heating the person, not the whole house. Wearing an extra layer will become part of daily life and I have already become fastidious about turning unnecessary lights off! At work we have set up an initiative to reduce non-critical car journeys to reduce our fuel consumption and I have recently experienced the benefits of train travel to many of Cornwall’s towns. I have found that from Truro its quicker to take the train to towns along the mainline than it is to drive - and cheaper too, an added bonus!

ALEX ELLIS

Macbeth Lankester

While we wait to see if there is any support for businesses, we know that increasing energy costs are affecting many of our clients, especially those who have manufacturing or engineering operations.

From our side we are working with them in the short term to ensure they can still protect their valuable IP assets for the long term.

More positively, these pressures on businesses can be a driver for innovation and a number of our clients are working on energy-saving inventions, which we will also be helping to protect.

CLAIRE MARTIN

Perfect Sums

We have installed lights on sensors, so they are only on when the room is in use. Being sat at a desk all day it is easy to feel cold, so we will have a supply of blankets and fingerless gloves instead of turning the heat up every time someone feels a bit cold.

ANDREW DAVENPORT

Focus Technology Europe

Having purchased a new building we will be looking to ensure that anything we install into the space will be as efficient as possible. A mix of solar and air source as well as monitoring and managing our usage efficiently will keep our consumption under control.

ANN VANDERMEULEN

FSB Cornwall

Despite short term support measures from Government, many businesses face having energy bills rise significantly over time. Nearly a quarter of firms are holding back from investments and business expansion which will stifle growth. FSB have produced a report and given recommendations to ministers such as: expand the scope of the price cap, reduce business rates, offer direct cash support and cut taxes temporarily on energy. Influencing government policy will make big changes for all. You can read the full story on the FSB page (see p37).