Businesses across Colchester are counting the cost of rising energy bills following the latest price cap rise. 

They have spoken to the Gazette about how the crisis is impacting them - and their customers. 

Justin Chung, owner of the Norfolk Fishbar, on North Station Road, Colchester, has expressed the effects rising energy bills has had on his business.

The Norfolk Fish Bar opened on Valentines day this year.

Justin, said: “It’s not just energy bills, overall this industry has been hit the hardest.

“The prices of oil and fish, as well as energy bills, has gone up. Fuel prices also effects delivery prices.

“It’s been tough, it hasn’t been easy at all. We’ve been trying to work smartly, negotiating set rate with suppliers early, that’s helped.

“Were big on sustainability and quality, so with that, there’s only a certain amount you can save.”

Peter Fairs, who farms in the Great Tey area, described the new price cap as “very worrying”.

He said: “We are spending an absolute fortune on electricity at the minute, the whole thing is a huge worry.

“I can’t say exactly how the energy cap will affect us, but any price increase is very costly. The situation is very worrying.”

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A business owner, who runs Beaux Cheveux hairdressers on Sir Isaac’s Walk, Colchester, has expressed concern over rising energy costs in the future.

Business owner Emily said: “At the moment we haven’t been affected too much, but who knows what will happen when the next price increase comes in.

“As of recent things have been fine, prices for our business haven’t gone up too much. But we all know bills are rising, along with other increased costs, so it is definitely a cause for concern.”

David Henley, of the iconic Henley’s Fish and Chips in Wivenhoe, said: “They forecast that a third of chippies will close. Our industry has definitely been hit the hardest.

“Some people are actually losing money by running fish and chip restaurants, the cost of most commodities have trebeled, without even thinking about energy bills.

“We have had to relook at our costs and make savings, like every other business.

"We have gone from spending £315 a month, to over £900 a month on gas alone.”