Rising prices and higher energy costs: This is how these entrepreneurs deal with it

It is doom and gloom. Energy costs and gas prices are skyrocketing and groceries are becoming more and more expensive. Entrepreneurs in Zoetermeer are also facing higher bills. How do they deal with this and what do we notice?

Turning off the heating, purchasing more economically or omitting the biscuit with the coffee: these are options to reduce costs for entrepreneurs. But you cannot just switch off machines or devices that are necessary in your business: what do you do as an entrepreneur?

No more coffee for Merel

Merel from Black Bird Bakery has decided to close her bakery shop for two days. “My equipment such as the brick ovens, the coffee machine and the croissant dough rolling machine use extra electrical power by means of three-phase current. My coffee machine is on all day to maintain the temperature. We are now closed on Tuesdays and Sundays, so that saves on consumption. In the morning I always start the day with a cup of coffee, but on days that we are closed, I no longer do that.” In addition to the energy bill, purchasing costs are also rising. “Flour and especially butter have become so much more expensive,” says Merel.

The extra closing days mean that Black Bird Bakery is only open from Wednesday to Saturday. “Many customers regret that we are less open and therefore no longer open on Sundays. But they do understand why I made that choice. On the closed days we prepare the sourdough and make croissant dough. We now bake more efficiently so that we need to use less power.” According to her, Merel’s breads are more of a luxury than a necessary good. “Our breads are more expensive than, for example, in the supermarket. I understand that people then go get their bread elsewhere, although our bread is more filling, so you have to eat less of it.”

No more price increases for Tolis

Tolis, owner of Greek restaurant Poseidon, is very curious about what the coming months will look like. “Our purchasing costs have already increased, so we have already adjusted the prices on the menu. I don’t want to make the dishes more expensive again so the customers will not notice anything now. But our costs will continue to rise. I have a variable energy contract so it will be a surprise what the bills will look like.” However, Tolis is now more aware of energy consumption: “I will switch off machines faster or not switch them on at all. They are small things, but they can make a difference in your wallet.”

Under the sunbed is essential for some

If electricity is used anywhere, it is in a tanning center. Mimoun of Magic Sun in the Dorpsstraat, Rokkeveen and Berkel en Rodenrijs keeps a close eye on energy prices. “We have agreed with all Magic Sun branches that we will not implement a price increase this year. For some, a visit to the solarium is a luxury, for others a necessary good,” explains Mimoun.

Divided over three locations, he has a total of 21 cabins with a power-hungry sunbed to keep running. “We are heading into winter and people have been hearing only bad news for a long time. We want to be able to continue to offer customers with winter depressions, for example. Some are referred by the GP so in that sense we fall under an essential industry. Hopefully the cabinet will also come up with an emergency plan for entrepreneurs. As soon as I know what the energy prices will do, I can make a prognosis for the longer term. But for this year, our customers don’t have to worry about losing more with us.”