Is anybody here high up in leisure or retail?

[LimboLass]

I am curious as to how shops and leisure facilities are going to deal with the cost of energy. Surely there must be conversations on this at a high up level.

Speaking personally I am keen to know what gyms are going to do. Reduced hours possibly? but how would this tie in with members existing contracts?

Gyms, especially the ones that have pools and spas must be a worry because their energy costs must be huge. Also hotel chains, anywhere with lots of heating and hot water.

For very large retailers, restaurant chains and gyms there might be room for negotiation, as in they can go to the suppliers and negotiate the best fixed rate for all their supply. If they get a good price, it will significantly improve their bottom line.

I'd expect gym membership prices to increase and you might find it more likely that a contract will have an in contract price increase, like you see with broadband now - and it will be unknown when you sign up as it is described as 'CPI + X%'.

There will be people who took out contracts a few months ago before inflation exploded that will be facing 20%+ increase in their broadband cost early next year because inflation is expected to be at least 18% and the standard is that the increase will be inflation+3.9%.

A lot of people will currently be completely unaware that this is in their contract and they have to pay it. I saw it when we got new broadband, but it was before inflation went up, so I dismissed it as a significant increase.

My gym and spa membership increased by approximately £20 a month a few months back - before the looming energy crisis seemed quite so urgent. Luckily, I paid a year upfront as I can’t see the place being able to stay open without another significant price increase. I plan to spend a lot of time in the spa and sauna over winter and to use their electricity to dry and style my hair. Just hope they don’t shut down!

There will be people who took out contracts a few months ago before inflation exploded that will be facing 20%+ increase in their broadband cost early next year because inflation is expected to be at least 18% and the standard is that the increase will be inflation+3.9%.

Yes, I think most phone and broadband contracts have this now. Our broadband will shoot up. I'm going back to SIM-only on my phone next April, after having a phone on contract the last two years (I needed a new one and it didn't work out any dearer than buying the phone myself and going SIM-only), so that will offset it, as there are some cracking deals out there for that.

I was thinking about places like National Trust the other day. They can’t turn the heating off and let all the paintings and furnishings get damp.

Not high up in retail, but our upper floors are hot and no windows. My colleague thought the aircon had broken (she's normally in at 5.30am) but I noticed on Sunday that as soon as they announced store open, the aircon kicked in - so basically staff have to roast right now, and aircon only goes on to keep customers comfortable. I suspect they'll be no heating until store is open in the winter.

Retail here. Reducing space in shops and corporate locations is one way - literally closing up space that doesn't need to be lit or heated. Negotiating rates, cost saving wherever else we can (this will always mean a reduction in people / pay as that's really the only controllable cost in Retail) and like others, hoping for a govt intervention, maybe naively!!