BUSINESSES across Worcester are bracing themselves for a winter of price rises as energy costs are set to increase by nine per cent  in October.

The energy price cap will rise for the first time since January, with the average household expected to pay £146 more each year.

These prices can quickly stack up for businesses that are much more energy-intensive than an average household.

Leena Batchelor, owner of independent bookshop Script Haven, said: "As with independent small businesses and individuals nationwide, we are very concerned about the pressures ever-increasing costs bring.

"We run close to the wire with very little margin and any increase in costs is nearly impossible to absorb and prices have to increase which customers can't afford.

"This results in businesses closing, jobs being lost, high streets being empty, all leading to an increase in crises in mental health and emotional wellbeing and, with resources to support these being underfunded and unavailable, the impact on society is disastrous.

The price rise comes after the wholesale costs for energy, paid for by suppliers, rose by 20 per cent in recent months, with part of the rise being passed on to customers in October.

The cost of living crisis has already forced several businesses in Worcestershire to close, such as the Old Chestnut Tree which shut in January 2023 due to skyrocketing bills prices.

Ms Batchelor added: "We will endeavour to minimise any increase in costs for Script Haven and to remain as a haven for everyone, but unless the utility providers, landlords, government and local councils genuinely listen to and support small independent businesses, the future will be a challenging one. 

Not all businesses in Worcester will be affected as badly as Script Haven.

Shane Griffin, operator of pub the Brunswick Arms in St John's, said: "I'm very lucky really.

"I don't have to pay any bills as Stonegate pays for everything."

Mr Griffin's pub is owned by the Stonegate Group, a large company that owns over 4,500 pubs across the UK.

As a result, they pick up the utility bill while Mr Griffin runs the business for a set fee.