SERIOUS concerns are being raised about the future of small businesses across Stroud amid the cost-of-living crisis.

This comes as the the chair of the Stroud Chamber of Trade plus the Stroud MP are investigating the impact the energy crisis is having on small businesses across the town and district. 

"I am very, very worried about the future of Small and medium enterprises," said Tony Davey, Chairperson of the Stroud & District Chamber of Trade & Commerce. 

"I can't name a cost that is not rising. 

"We are facing challenge after challenge, from almost every direction imaginable. 

"The first and most pressing issue to address is around energy prices.

"Ideally, some form of cap that helps protect business as it does (to a degree) the public.

"Businesses that are otherwise viable are going to suffer needlessly with sudden increases of 400 per cent and sometimes more – that is obvious.

"If this fails to be addressed quickly, the knock on effects of redundancies, closed businesses and lack of services to our communities is inevitable."

Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie is to survey local businesses to collate more information about the cost of energy and other inflationary pressures are affecting them.

The move follows discussions with businesses over the summer and a recent meeting with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) local representatives to discuss how its members are coping.

Siobhan spoke with FSB development manager Sam Holliday plus FSB area lead for Gloucestershire Russell John Warner.

“The present very challenging situation with rising bills is a huge concern for everyone.

“Our small businesses make up approximately 85 per cent of our business community and employ thousands of people," said Siobhan. 

"Following months of discussions, it is clear to me that all the hard work and extensive efforts to save businesses during the pandemic could be lost if action is not taken swiftly. 

"I will be sending out a survey soon to firms asking them to indicate how recent events are impacting them and what they would ask the new Prime Minister to prioritise.

“All information assists me to argue the case for targeted support and guide ministers about what is happening on the ground across the Stroud district.

"It is important that the government knows what we are facing.”