A number of businesses in Newport have already closed their doors, with the owner of Monusk Tapas and Wine Bar saying their energy bills jumped from £150 to £800 a month, and the owner of Ragtag Pizza saying that rising costs were “a huge factor” in his decision to close, after “basic prices had more than doubled”.

And today, the South Wales Argus is launching a Back Our Businesses campaign, urging people to shop, eat, drink and buy local and support local traders where they can.

The South Wales Argus is urging people to Back Our Businesses and shop, eat, drink and buy local.

Independent businesses are “the lifeblood of any town or city centre”, said Kevin Ward, manager of the Newport Now Business Improvement District, and the BID recently joined the #BusinessSOS campaign which has warned the Government of the issues the high street faces.

Jack Slocombe, co-owner of Quarters Coffee in Millennium Walk, said they had seen their energy bills triple in recent months, while footfall in the city was down.

“Everyone’s been affected by it,” he said. “It’s every sector. But unfortunately the hospitality sector is going to be the first place people are going to cut back.

“Rent is going up and energy are going up and the cost of goods is going up – milk is the most expensive it’s been.

Jack Slocombe, co-owner of Quarters Coffee, said he was optimistic despite rising costs.

“We’ve had to make changes to the business as we don’t feel like we can pass all these costs on. If people are already thinking they can’t afford the luxury trade, we’d only be adding to that with price increases.

“I don’t want to paint a bleak picture of Newport. But we don’t have the financial clout of one of the big chains. This is family-run – I run it with my wife. I think people enjoy seeing that.

“We’re optimistic as we have such fantastic customers. For us as a business we’re not about trying to put cash in the till, but we want to help build a community as well.

“It’s a challenge, but it’s a challenge that we enjoy.”

Mr Slocombe said he thinks people are more willing to support independent businesses after the pandemic, having built up relationships with the owners and seeing how their support affects them.  

“It’s a shame seeing offices and businesses closing down,” he said. “It has a knock-on effect on us too. I’d like to see more traders in the city.

“The reality now is that in five years’ time, people will want to come to the city centre and see all the independent businesses they go to now. But to do that, we’ve got to support them now.

“Covid helped a lot of people’s perception of supporting local because they saw they impact of that.

“I feel like Newport does support independents very well. It will be nice to see many businesses thrive.”

Will Green, co-owner of Rogue Fox Coffee House in Clytha Park Road, said the rising cost of stock was “concerning”, but said he had faith the community would look after the city’s independent businesses.

Will Green, co-owner of Rogue Fox, said Newport was a safe haven for independent businesses.

“I don’t think we’ve been hit as hard as some people have, but we have definitely noticed the difference from our energy bills going from £2,000 a year to £5,000 a year,” he said.

“Also with the stock we use. Cooking oil has gone from £20 to £40 in the last couple of months, and coffee has jumped to about £150 a month.

“It’s a little bit concerning. At the moment we haven’t made any changes to our prices. We’ve historically raised our prices maybe once a year to help combat that.

“We’re here to serve the community and the community has always looked after us.

“Newport I’ve always seen as a safe haven for independent businesses. A few have shut down recently which is a little bit scary.

“We always have faith in our community of coffee drinkers. We did it with Covid. We were closed for 12 weeks when we opened up we saw a lot of faces again.”

Poppy Morgan, manager at Holy Cheesus, just over the road from Rogue Fox, said their costs had tripled in the past six months, but also spoke about the benefits of supporting independent businesses.

“Usually as soon as summer’s over we see a spike in custom but it’s not been the same this summer. We’ve seen a decline,” she said.

Poppy Morgan, manager at Holy Cheesus, said independents offer people a ‘much nicer experience’.

“We see our regular customers – they have stuck with us – but footfall has declined.

“The price of a box of cheese has tripled in the past six months. So we’ve increased prices but you can’t keep doing that. You can’t charge £10 for a toastie.

“I know the major supermarkets and traders are losing a little bit of money, but independent traders definitely need people’s support at the moment. Especially as we’ve only just bounced back from Covid.

“We rely on our regular customers. It’s about keeping a good rapport with them. We try to do a little bit extra for our customers. 

“They are going to have a much nicer experience catering for everyone’s individual needs rather than treating everyone as a consumer.”

Bakehouse Cakes opened on Bridge Street four months ago. Owner Neil Evans said he had seen the costs of ingredients rising sometimes daily.

However, he said he felt that people would rather support an independent business over a larger chain.

“I do my shops after I finish in here,” he said. “It goes up daily sometimes. The cost of ingredients is sometimes more worrying that energy costs as you don’t want to pass that on.

Neil Evans, of Bakehouse Cakes, said the cost of ingredients was rising sometimes even daily.

“All our stuff is made fresh in store every morning. It just tastes better.

“We try to keep prices as competitive as possible. Some things are more expensive but people understand for anything freshly made, you pay a little bit more.

“I think people really want to support [independents]. A lot of our customers would rather come to us than walk to some of the bigger places, as they know we are making everything fresh.”

Independent businesses have been “the growth sector in Newport” over the past few years, Mr Ward said, and supporting them now was the main way to ensure they survive.

“Independent businesses are the lifeblood of any town or city centre, and Newport is no different,” he said.

“We have some fantastic independents in the city centre – ranging from bars to bakers, hotels to hairdressers, coffee shops to clothes stores, and everything in between.

Kevin Ward, manager of Newport Now BID, said independent businesses were the lifeblood of town and city centres.

“Independents have been the growth sector in Newport over the last three years, despite all the problems caused by the pandemic and now inflation and the energy crisis.

“The simplest way of ensuring our independents survive is to use them and support them.

“The majority of BID members are independents and we offer a wide range of support services to help them during both normal and the more extraordinary times we have experienced over the last two to three years.”

This support includes: a shopfront improvement grant of up to £1,000; a savings advisory service, a Newport gift card which can be spent in more than 70 independent businesses in the city, a City Centre App which lets businesses to offer deals and list events, providing training schemes, and lobbying the government at local, Welsh and UK level on behalf of its members.

“The BID also provides a graffiti removal service, daytime Street Ambassadors six days a week and a new Night Ambassadors service on weekends, and we are about to rent two vacant retail units in the city centre to use as pop-up shops to encourage more independents into the city centre,” said Mr Ward.

“All of our services are free for BID members and our aim is to continue to find as many ways as we can to help businesses in the city centre.”

A Newport City Council spokesperson said it was important for people to continue to support independent businesses, but added that more support was needed from the Welsh and UK Governments to help during the cost of living crisis.

“Newport City Council supports small businesses in the city with both practical and financial assistance, recognising they are vital to the success and prosperity of the city,” they said.

“It is also important that local businesses are supported by local people and we urge people to shop and dine out locally, and use local traders, wherever and whenever possible.

“Businesses need regular customers – ‘use them or lose them’ has never been more true.

“This year, the council’s unique city centre rates scheme gives eligible businesses a 25 per cent reduction on their rates bill on top of the Welsh Government’s rate relief for retail, hospitality and leisure outlets.

“This means that many city centre business will only pay 25 per cent of their business rates this year.

“A scheme providing business grants to small and medium sized businesses has been running for several years and last year the council launched its most generous package of support.

“The council and UKSE also jointly administer the business support grant scheme which helps to launch many new ventures each year and aims to create local jobs.

“However, the future remains uncertain for all businesses as they, and their customers, deal with increasing cost-of-living price rises. The council is also likely to face significant financial challenges in the coming months.

“It will continue to look for ways it can assist local businesses, but more government funding will be essential.

“While the UK and Welsh governments are providing packages of support to business and residents, the council believes this needs to go much further.”

The UK Government last week announced an Energy Bill Relief Scheme, to provide a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices for all non-domestic customers – including all businesses, charities, schools and hospitals.

It will apply to energy usage from October 1 to March 31, running for an initial six month period for all non-domestic energy users – and the support will automatically be applied to bills. 

Today, we’re stepping in to protect businesses, charities and public sector organisations from record high gas prices.

Just as we’re doing for consumers, this new scheme will keep energy bills down from October to provide additional peace of mind.https://t.co/suiGLY56UF

— Kwasi Kwarteng (@KwasiKwarteng) September 21, 2022

Prime minister Liz Truss said: “I understand the huge pressure businesses, charities and public sector organisations are facing with their energy bills, which is why we are taking immediate action to support them over the winter and protect jobs and livelihoods.

“As we are doing for consumers, our new scheme will keep their energy bills down from October, providing certainty and peace of mind.”

Economy minister Vaughan Gething visited the facility to celebrate their birthday and reaffirm its partnership with the Welsh Government.

Mr Gething said: “Supporting businesses like this one to adapt, grow their workforce and develop skills is essential to our ambitions for a more prosperous Welsh economy post-pandemic.

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething at Energizer Auto UK picture: Welsh Government

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething at Energizer Auto UK  picture: Welsh Government 

“The Flexible Skills Programme is central to this.

“The Welsh Government is committed to changing people’s lives for the better and ensuring no one is left behind.”

The Flexible Skills Programme helps employers develop their staffs technical, professional and leadership skills.

Energizer works with Coleg Gwent to create new work experience and job opportunities in the local area and has links with the Valleys Innovation Showcase for Technological Advancement (VISTA) to share best practice with local employers.

Mark Thomas, plant manager for Energizer said: “With so much uncertainty and volatility in the current economic climate it’s great to be celebrating this significant milestone.

“The team in Rassau have worked hard to increase efficiency while becoming more responsive to fluctuations in demand, this has led to considerable growth over the last two years.

“With the advent of this growth the plant has had to adapt and change.

“The Welsh Government’s Flexible Skills Programme has been an important part of upskilling and preparing the workforce.

“On behalf of Energizer and our staff I would like the thank the economy minister Vaughan Gething for making time to visit our site, marking 25 years of operations in South Wales.”

“I gained some good early traction and picked up a number of long-term contracts, which is where TPXimpact decided to make a move for my business, with the deal going over the line in 2020,” Mr Arthur said.

Arthurly was acquired by TPXimpact for around £1.5 million.

Mr Arthur now works as a CTO – chief technology, or technical, officer – for TPXimpact.

“The work I’ve done includes setting up an academy that helps people develop a career in software,” he said.

He has now been announced in the running for two major industry awards -the CIO 100 and the UK IT Awards.

Reflecting on his journey, Mr Arthur said: “It feels surreal to be where I am now.

“To be recognised among the elite technology professionals in the UK, it’s very humbling to compare against when I started out.

“Equally, it’s given me the motivation and belief to go bigger and better in the future.”

Mr Arthur says he is “just a normal person from very humble beginnings, born and raised in Cwmbran and Pontypool by my mum and grandparents”.

“I’m still young and learning a lot,” he said.

“My goal is to keep inspiring and helping the next generation of diverse talent and I’m proud that a lot of the people I have hired live in Wales.”

Family-owned Tovey Bros, in Cardiff Road, has been serving the people of South East Wales since 1860.

The Gwent company is proud to have been working closely alongside those in the medical profession for more than 160 years, making them the perfect choice to sponsor the GP of the Year gong.

Tovey Bros is proud of its family-based approach, something underpinned by its team of long-standing and caring professionals, many of whom have been with the company for several decades.

“Seven generations of our family have been helping families and loved ones through some of the toughest times they will ever face,” said James Tovey, who owns the business with dad Humphrey.

“We are fiercely passionate about looking after the needs of those who have suffered a loss and are going through the most difficult of times.

“We know the effort and sacrifices that are made by those people who work in hospitals, GP surgeries, behind the scenes in the NHS and other areas of the medical profession.

“On a daily basis, we encounter those whose lives are enriched and made possible due to the hard work from all medical personnel who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty.

“This has been clearly evident during the pandemic.

“We are proud to work so closely with those who keep our hospitals running, our GP surgeries open and for providing the people of this country with a strong shoulder to lean on.”

For more information about Tovey Bros, visit toveybros.co.uk

But the Llanrwst-based business, owned by former Royal Marine commando Sean Taylor, boasts a lot more than the thrilling Velocity 2, which reaches speeds of around 120mph.

The company is now spread over seven sites across Wales and the north of England, having recently branched out into the Lake District and Manchester.

And there’s a chance that Zip World, now valued at £100m, will expand a lot further, according to Mr Taylor.

“We will always be a Welsh-based company,” he said during an episode of Welsh Business Heroes, a joint venture between NatWest, Landsker Business Solutions and Newsquest.

“We get expressions of interest on a weekly basis for businesses in Europe, the Far East and America.

“That could be another direction where the company goes.”

As well as its zip wire rides at Penrhyn Quarry, the firm has attractions in Rhyl, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Betws-y-Coed and the former Tower Colliery site near Hirwaun in south Wales.

These include Skyflyer, an airship that hovers 140m over Rhyl, which opens next year, an underground adventure golf course and the first two-seater rollercoaster in Europe.

However, short-stay accommodation is a new area that Mr Taylor is taking Zip World into.

“We are looking at going more into short-break holidays with accommodation,” he added.

“I think there’s a huge market in short-stay accommodation. We want to be looking at accommodation in iconic sites but with a bit of an edge to it as well.

“We bought a hotel in Capel Curig two months ago and we want to do something special there that no-one else is doing.

“This summer, we bought a business in the Lake District and Manchester, and we’ve got other acquisitions and opportunities coming up.

“There’s also a real gap in the market for sustainable transport. Everyone talks about it, no-one’s really doing it properly.”

And he also revealed that the company is likely to undergo a rebrand before the year is out.

He said: “Zip World is a great brand. The brand is bigger than what we have on the ground.

“We’ve got a five-year plan, that’s part of being involved with private equity.

“Obviously the money is important so we can be profitable and grow, but for me it’s about the legacy and enjoying the ride with the good and bad times.”

He continued: “We’re probably looking at a rebrand. It’s a big step for us. It’s probably as ZW because over half our products are non-Zip World.”

“The party of pay cuts strikes again. This budget is Robin Hood in reverse.”

Tony Danker, CBI director-general, described it as a turning point for the economy.

“Like Covid, the energy crisis has meant Government has had to spend massively to protect people and businesses. That means we have no choice but to go for growth to afford it.

“Today is day one of a new UK growth approach. We must now use this opportunity to make it count and bring growth to every corner of the UK. Fifteen years of anaemic growth cannot be repeated.

“Taking action to get Britain’s economy moving again by beginning construction on transport and green infrastructure projects shows immediate delivery. Planning reform is long overdue.”

Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said: “The Government has ditched levelling up for an all-out offensive to make the wealthiest even richer.

“In the middle of a huge cost-of-living crisis, this isn’t the time for economic experiments that are doomed to fail.”

Stephen Phipson, chief executive of Make UK, said: “The Chancellor has clearly recognised that we are heading for very stormy waters in the face of eyewatering increases in energy and other costs, together with a difficult international environment.

“Industry will welcome today’s statement which, coming on the back of the support for energy, contains a number of positive measures to help shield viable companies from the worst impact of escalating costs and help protect jobs.

“The focus on prioritising growth with plans to speed up planning reforms, boost infrastructure and investment is especially welcome.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This mini-budget is unashamedly a budget for the rich, big business and the City – highest earners’ tax slashed, corporation tax slashed, investment bankers’ bonuses let rip.

“Billionaires and city bankers will once again be considering which tax haven they will stash their money in, whilst millions of ordinary families continue to struggle to make ends meet.”

Neil Carberry, chief executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, said: “Putting business at the heart of delivering prosperity for the UK is always the right call, and the Chancellor’s focus on this will have landed well with employers all over the country.”

Anton Williams, who has been with the company for eight years, is the newly appointed manager of their Chepstow Branch. 

Anton said: “I first started as an apprentice estate agent in 2014 within DJ & P’s Old Sodbury branch, then three years later I transferred to Chepstow when the two companies first merged.

‘I get such a great feeling when I let our clients know we do so much more than just buying and selling,’ Anton Williams

“When I first joined, I instantly knew that this would be a great company to work for, as every team member was so welcoming and open about sharing their knowledge and experience of the industry.

“I quickly learned that it was not just about being an estate agent, as there were so many different assets within our services that we could offer people, such as surveying and planning.

“I get such a great feeling when I let our clients know we do so much more than just buying and selling, it can be a great relief for some people knowing we can take care of additional needs that they would usually have to go elsewhere.

“During the past eight years I’ve been very fortunate to be surrounded by a fantastic team who share the same passion and are genuinely interested in property – I think is a true testament to the company’s success – we work incredibly hard to achieve the best outcomes for both our home buyers and home sellers.

“The company is always moving forward. We had to adapt due to the restrictions of the global pandemic, which has now made virtual tours common place. Anyone in the country can now view a house for sale at their leisure. And I have no doubt we’ll be doing virtual reality tours within the next decade too.

“Ultimately, David James provides a specialist and personalised service for town and country property owners, landowners, farmers, and other professional advisors. Our six offices cover south east Wales and south west England, with properties showcased for sale from different regions within different branches, simply put houses for sale in Wales will feature in England and vice versa.

“We will always go above and beyond for our clients, and we are always just a telephone call away if you need us.”

So, if you’re in the market for either buying or selling a property, simply contact Anton and his team at Chepstow or one of the other David James’ offices for more information on how they can help you. It’s friendly and professional team is always happy to provide advice and offer expert knowledge.

www.david-james.co.uk

Portwall House, Bank Street, Monmouthshire, NP16 5EL

RESIDENTIAL: 01291 626775

COMMERCIAL: 01291 626775

chepstow@djpnr.co.uk