"Anthony Jenkins, the owner of a hotel and restaurant in North Yorkshire, reported that his heating oil supplier charged 54.9p a litre in January but asked for 129p in late March. He noted, 'Many rural businesses, including ours, need to rely on heating oil, but the price increases have been extraordinary.' Jenkins also mentioned that they took only half of their usual order and asked guests to help reduce costs by adjusting their radiators."
"Jenkins expressed concern over the unpredictability of fuel prices, stating, 'Our supplier refused to give us a firm quote for over a week after we booked a delivery, and told us the day before that it would be 116% higher than before the crisis.' He highlighted the impact of rising costs on both businesses and consumers, noting that guests were understanding due to their own rising fuel expenses."
Heating oil prices have surged, with some businesses experiencing over a 100% increase. Approximately 7% of small and medium-sized enterprises rely on heating oil, particularly in rural areas where gas connections are limited. The Federation of Small Businesses reports that members are rationing fuel to manage costs. Business owners, like Anthony Jenkins, have seen drastic price hikes and are adapting by reducing consumption and exploring alternative energy sources like solar heating to mitigate expenses.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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