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Cost Of Energy Threatens Britain’s Independent Pubs & Eateries

Aspire Executive Lounges, Swissport's global airport hospitality brand, has joined the British Institute of Hospitality, the world’s leading and award-winning membership body for hospitality professionals. Aspire Executive Lounges becomes the first business partner from the airport lounge hospitality sector to join the Institute of Hospitality. Aspire Executive Lounges, the fast-growing Swiss brand in the airport hospitality business, has joined the British Institute of Hospitality (IoH), the world’s leading membership body for professionals working and studying in the hospitality leisure and tourism industry. Aspire Executive Lounges is the first business from the airport lounge sector to become a member of IoH. The collaboration will foster an exchange of expertise and insights: IoH will benefit from Aspire's expertise in airport hospitality, while Aspire, by sharing its wealth of experience with IoH members, can extend its professional network to the hotel and catering sectors and hospitality management schools. “Our vision for Aspire Executive Lounges is clear and simple: We want to deliver a guest experience that is similar to what our guests are used to from their preferred hotels, meeting the needs and exceeding the expectations of today’s travelers,” says David Collyer, Global Vice President of Executive Lounges at Swissport International AG. “We strive to deliver an unparalleled experience and set a benchmark that transcends our industry, redefining excellence across the hospitality sector. The Institute of Hospitality is a great network to exchange insights and experiences, and to learn from others in the hospitality sector, which will help us bring our vision to life.” Robert Richardson, CEO of the Institute of Hospitality: “Our aspiration at the Institute of Hospitality has been to develop and grow our membership, the number of countries we operate in, and the number of hospitality sectors represented within our organization. With that in mind, it is a natural partnership for us to welcome Aspire into our family, and to learn from their teams, who serve travelers with passion and dedication. As two organizations with similar values, we look forward to collaborating in promoting high levels of excellence within our profession.” With over 30 years of experience, Aspire Executive Lounges is Europe’s largest brand in the airport lounges sector. In 2023, Swissport welcomed more than five million customers worldwide at over 69 lounges in 20 countries. The airport hospitality brand recently opened new lounges at Toronto City Airport in Canada, and Helsinki-Vantaa Airport in Finland. Aspire Executive Lounges recently created a new lounge concept in partnership with the airline alliance oneworld. The first oneworld branded lounge was launched at Incheon Airport in Seoul, Korea, in December 2023. Aspire Executive Lounges is owned by Swissport International AG, the global leader in aviation services, serving airlines at 286 airports in 44 countries across 6 continents
Written by Amy

 

  • Over half of Britain’s independent pubs, cafes and restaurants (57 per cent) feel the rising cost of energy is crippling their future
  • 50 per cent have been asked to make large upfront payments
  • Almost a third (29 per cent) are on a high tariff because they are seen as a credit risk
  • Seven per cent were cut off because they missed a payment

 A new survey has revealed that over half of UK micro-businesses (56 per cent) feel the rising cost of energy is threatening their future. The findings come from an independent study commissioned by Britain’s fastest growing independent energy supplier, Utilita Energy.

It reveals that over half of Britain’s independent pubs, cafes and restaurants (57 per cent) feel the rising cost of energy is crippling their future, with almost a third (29 per cent) forced onto a high tariff because they are seen as a credit risk and 50 per cent asked to make large, upfront payments.

Alarmingly, seven per cent have been cut off – with dire commercial consequences – for missing a payment.

Almost half (42 per cent) feel they get an unfair deal from energy suppliers and over two thirds (71 per cent) say they have been caught out by unexpected T&Cs such as crippling rates, inflexible payment terms, high deposits and extended contracts.

As a result of the findings, Utilita is building on its success in the domestic market by launching into the commercial energy sector with a single tariff, flexible payment options and no upfront deposits.

Should customers face cash flow issues the provider will switch them onto a pay-as-you-go smart meter solution and roll up the current bill so that energy supply is maintained and businesses can carry on trading – improving their credit rating at the same time. More information can be found by visiting https://utilita.co.uk/business.

Shaun Underwood, Director of Utilita Business Energy, said: “We should be supporting Britain’s small businesses in these times of uncertainty – but it is clear that there are a significant and growing number of small businesses that appear to be treated unfairly and have very real concerns. I believe customers should not be asked to pay crippling up-front deposits when cash flow is a problem, should not be put onto discriminative contract rates and should not be punished or shunned by suppliers. We faced these very same issues in the early days so we really do understand.”

Clare Bailey, independent retail expert and high street campaigner, added: “Passionate, retail business owners are the life-blood of a place – not only do they break up the monotony of “clone-town Britain”, where the same chain stores, coffee shops and betting shops would otherwise populate our high streets, but they make a considerable commercial contribution. Statistics illustrate that for every £1 spent with a local, independent retailer, some 50p-70p circulates back into that same community. That same £1 spent in a chain store may only return 5p to the local economy. So, when you support local stores you are making 10 times more impact, boosting the economic health of your area.

“A secure, affordable energy supply is vital for these businesses; it literally ‘keeps the lights on’ and the business operating.  It is clear from the results of the survey undertaken by Utilita that too many of our small businesses feel they are getting a raw deal on prices and how they are treated. This needs to change and I applaud the initiative by Utilita to give the sector a fairer deal.”

According to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, micro-businesses now account for an estimated 5.2 million UK private sector businesses making up approximately 94 per cent of the UK private business sector*. Utilita’s independent survey of over 500 micro-business owners told us that, on average their fuel costs had increased by £215 in the last year.

Utilita has more than 535,000 domestic customers and almost 1,500 staff as of June, 2017. It was the first independent supplier to challenge the Big 6 in the smart pay-as-you-go domestic market and has been at the forefront of the UK’s smart meter rollout since it was founded in 2003.

According to Utilita’s findings, micro-business owners work over 44 hours a week with almost a third working over 50 hours a week to secure the success of their business.

The full findings of the ‘Powering the UK High Street’ report can be downloaded by visiting https://utilita.co.uk/business.

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Amy