UK Salons struggle as energy bills top 40% of business costs

ENERGY bills make up 40% of the average hair and beauty salon's total business costs, according to a new survey of decision makers by Uswitch for Business, the business energy comparison and switching service.

Energy bills are the top concern for salons and spas, more so than rent costs, product inflation and attracting new customers. 24% of salon business owners say they are struggling to pay the energy costs associated with running their businesses.

As a result, 40% of those salon decision makers feel anxious about their business, while 20% have had to ask family and friends to help cover business costs.

In response to these challenges, 32% of salons have had to increase prices. Some are also taking other precautions such as:- turning off, down or restricting air conditioning or heating (32%), training all staff in energy efficient measures (31%) and investing in more energy efficient appliances (27%).

With inflation expected to remain high, Uswitch for Business estimates that salons who have fallen out of contract could be paying up to 50% more than those on a negotiated deal.

If costs continue to rise, decision makers will need to consider more ways to manage cash flow to avoid having to close their business. 44% said they may have to reduce the number of services on offer, and 29% may also have to downsize or close down sites (28%).

Some salons have already had to let staff go or reduce shifts (18%). Others have seen employees leave for better paying roles (25%) and have opted to reduce business hours (21%).

As the cost of living continues to rise, salons have noticed that customers are selecting cheaper treatments (40%), leaving longer intervals between appointments (35%), giving lower tips (29%) and coming in for hair treatments with wet hair to save costs (18%).

Overall, consumers are making cost cutting decisions where they can, with a 33% of owners seeing fewer appointments booked now compared to 2022.

Jack Arthur, energy expert at Uswitch for Business comments:- "The hair and beauty industry is an essential part of the UK economy, providing jobs and services to millions. However, reduced footfall and sky high energy costs puts salon and spa owners in a really difficult position. Business decision makers should make sure they are aware of the terms and end date of their current energy contract so they can shop around for the best rates at the time of renewal. If salon owners have concerns about paying their bills or if they aren't receiving the right level of support, they should contact their energy supplier as soon as possible."

Paul Faulkner, owner of The Retreat Hairdressing in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire said:- "The rising cost of energy is a major issue for my business. We need to continue to provide the best possible service for customers without having to raise prices, but it is unfortunately becoming more and more difficult. As a business owner I am constantly looking at ways to keep costs as low as possible whilst continuing to offer the services my customers want. We are always reviewing costs and staying energy cautious by taking steps including turning off or down heating and air conditioning and having flexible business hours. Whilst we can be creative in how we operate, the cost of energy is hitting the beauty industry hard with many salons feeling the pressure or closing altogether."

Top tips from Jack Arthur, energy expert at Uswitch for Business on how to avoid overpaying on business energy costs:-

1. Check all your contracts - both gas and electricity... Dual fuel agreements do not exist in the business market, which means that you will likely have different arrangements for your gas and electricity. Make sure you've got the details of both contracts, including your current supplier and take note of the contract types, duration and end dates.

2. Identify your:- 'switching window...' The:- 'switching window' is the period where you can change to a cheaper deal if you're on a contract you've not chosen, your tariff has expired or if you've taken over a new premises.

3. Seek expert advice when it comes to finding a competitive energy deal... Finding the right deal for your business can take time, so if you are struggling to understand the type of contract needed for your firm and its usage, consider speaking to an energy broker. Sites like Uswitch for Business can help you during your search.

4. If you're struggling to pay your bills, speak to your supplier ASAP... Contact your supplier as soon as you can if you are worried about paying your business energy bills. Suppliers may be able to work with you to agree a payment plan you can afford more easily.

5. Understand how to improve your businesses energy efficiency... You can make a difference to your overall consumption by considering energy efficient measures, such as:- energy saving lighting, as well as turning off other technology when not in use. If you don't have 1 already, consider installing a smart meter or a � hourly meter to understand where you are wasting energy and to improve the accuracy of your bills.

Let us know your thoughts on this news topic... Email our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook or Twitter.

Can't focus on GCSE revision? Expert reveals these colours of sound could be the solution

GCSE exams can be 1 of the most stressful moments in life and it is very easy to let worry and anxiety control you when you need to focus on revision. If you are struggling to focus in the lead-up to exams there are many ways to amp up your concentration while revising.

A new online tool from Currys aims to cure everyday issues through the power of coloured noise. White noise has been a front and centre favourite, but recently experts have been speaking out about the benefits of different colour frequency noises, such as pink, brown and green noise, in addition to white.

Currys spoke with Professor Bhattacharya, Professor of Psychology to discover the benefits of particular sounds for concentration; with this information Currys has created an interactive tool called:- "the sound of wellness" which allows users to test the different sounds recommended for the problem they are having, discovering which 1 is right for them.

Listen to white and brown noise to focus.
Sounds that can help with concentration and productivity are brown noise and white noise.
Brown noise is comparable to the sound of strong:- waterfalls, heavy rain and crashing thunder.

Brown noise contains all frequencies, like white noise, but plays the low frequencies at a greater volume and the high frequencies on a lower but softer level. Brown noise can help you with concentration and blocks out other distractions allowing you to give your undivided attention to the task at hand perfect when revising in a library or classroom with high volumes of background noise.

White noise has a flat frequency spectrum, meaning that it spans multiple bands of sound. It is referred to as white noise because it resembles white light as every band of the spectrum shines equally brightly, the sound can be compared to that of a whirling fan and tv static. Playing white noise can help create a better and more consistent work environment, reduce fatigue, improve overall concentration, and help memory when used at night. Stress and anxiety can cause the mind to become forgetful, and the thinking process gets foggy which in turn makes productivity feel hopeless.

Professor Bhattacharya, Professor of Psychology at Goldsmith University of London, said:- "Recent research shows that white noise in the background leads to enhanced cognitive performance in terms of maintaining attention, task performance, higher creativity, and lower stress levels in a workplace setting; importantly, this enhancement was found when noise was presented at 45 dB, but not at the 65 dB level. White noise might be more effective for tasks requiring sustained attention and memory processes and for individuals with low arousal levels."

Figuring out how to stay focused while studying is a challenge that many students face. With there being so many potential distractions, it can be hard to get any work done.

Listening to brown or white noise is 1 way to improve focus, but it is also suggested you follow these steps to help minimise the stress of studying and keep you focused on what matters.

These are 10 revision and preparation tips for GCSEs that might help:-

1. Clean your room... A clean room free of clutter will help you stay organised. It is easier to keep track of study notes and books for 1 thing, but a tidy clutter-free space will give you a clear focus and provides a better environment for learning.

2. Find natural light... Position yourself to experience as much natural light as possible and use lamps for task lighting. Exposure to natural light can have positive effects on your mental and physical health, and study spaces with natural light can help to improve productivity and reduce eye fatigue.

3. Fresh air... Opening the windows allows fresh air to circulate and reduces indoor pollution. Fresh air can help to increase the amount of oxygen in your brain, which increases serotonin levels. Serotonin is a natural chemical that the brain and intestines produce, which helps you to feel better overall. Getting fresh air is a simple way to improve your mood.

4. Step away from your study space... Taking a break vital to reduce burnout and stress. Breaks allow you to pause and reset so that you can carry on with a new burst of energy. Revising continuously without taking proper breaks can harm your productivity, mental and physical health.

5. Remove distractions... The more focused you are while studying the more you are likely to retain information. So, reducing distractions in your study environment can you help you remember more of what you have learned. It is important that you put your phone on silent so that you won't hear or see any notifications. Stay away from all social media as this can be very distracting and will waste your valuable time.

6. Go to bed early... A good night's sleep is essential for your brain to function, process, and recall information. Going to bed early means you will feel rested and ready to fit in more revision during the day.

7. Feed your brain... Eating crisps, pizzas, chips, and burgers may be tasty and time efficient, but it won't result in effective revision. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and drinking lots of water will leave you feeling more energetic and focused.

8. Create a revision timetable... A revision timetable can add structure to your study and help identify which subjects you need to prioritise to get better marks. It is a great way to organise your study time and it will keep you motivated.

9. Practice papers... Go through as many past papers as you can. This will help you become familiar with the exam format, question style, and time pressure so that you will be better prepared for the real thing.

10. Ask for help... If you are feeling stuck and you don't know the answers to a question, you must ask your Teacher for help or attend homework clubs where Teachers can support you and answer any questions or concerns you may have.