A change in the domestic energy price cap has come into force across Scotland, reducing household gas and electricity bills to £2,074 a year for typical usage – a drop of £426 per year.
This, coupled with further predicted price falls this winter, will be warming news for households.
No such thawing news has been delivered for Scotland’s businesses though, with those operating in sectors requiring large volumes of energy particularly feeling the crippling effect of spiralling costs.
That includes Scotland’s ice rinks, which are heavily energy-intensive due to their size and use of refrigeration, lighting and dehumidification.
Last week, Ayr Ice Rink confirmed it would shut its doors permanently in September as a direct result of the unprecedented hikes in the costs of gas and electricity. The community facility has operated for almost 50 years, but under its new energy deal, its daily bill will more than double.
That means its operators would have needed to source an additional £150,000 next year to keep the business afloat. That sounds like a gargantuan sum of cash but it makes sense when you think about the energy required to chill what is essentially a giant freezer.
News of the closure has shocked locals. It’s not just occasional customers who are losing the chance to burl round the rink. Regular users of the facility, which includes curlers aged from eight to 80, ice skaters and hockey players, have been left devastated.
Mike Ferguson, the president of the Scottish Ice Rink Association says several of Scotland’s ice rinks are now at “the critical stage.” Many operators were doing what they could to cut costs such as switching off lights and having efficient insulation but those moves only scratch the surface when bills are seeing a six-figure increase.
As the owner of curling, bowling and ice-skating facility Forfar Indoor Sports, Ferguson understands the scale of the problem all too well unfortunately. His monthly gas bill is set to rise from £2,000 to £14,500 – imagine trying to keep a cool head after seeing that bill landing.
Some operators will consider hiking up their prices to offset bills, but with everyone feeling the pinch, that option feels unsustainable over the long term. Others, like Lockerbie Ice Rink, have managed to make savings through a combination of reduced energy usage and wage bills, and successful grant applications – the savvy owners registered the facility as a charity in a bid to improve access to funding.
There was also some smart-thinking from bosses at Inverness Ice Centre who stepped up their efforts to diversify with events and festivals to prevent closure. The facility closed for three months from April to July this year to save money. Allowing the ice to thaw opened opportunities to generate new streams of income, with Scots singer-songwriter Calum Beattie taking to the stage on what was formerly the rink to entertain crowds for a gig this summer. That was a clever move.
It’s important we remember these are more than just leisure facilities – they are sports hubs too – and closures pose a huge threat.
Scottish Curling said the country had a “fighting chance” of keeping all 22 of its rinks open in 12 months’ time, but at least three are currently under serious threat of closure. The Ayr Ice Rink closure has meant that the sporting group now needs to find a home for the 500 curlers and 30-odd clubs in Ayr.
Its chief executive, Vince Bryson, warned that losing three rinks could wipe out a quarter of its membership – a devasting blow for a sport which brought home Team GB’s only medals at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
The next six months will be critical for Scotland’s ice rinks and the professional sportspeople and local communities that depend on them.
While dents in the bills can be made through diversifying into new income streams and the tightening of energy use policy, the future of Scotland’s ice rinks looks as precarious as me attempting a triple axel jump on ice skates.
Confidence gap among young Scots entrepreneurs
When I began my entrepreneurial journey, I wasn’t afraid to throw myself right in at the deep end. Taking the odd risk and learning along the way is at the core of what makes a great business owner, but it seems the next generation of potential entrepreneurs are feeling a little risk-averse.
A new survey by researchers at the University of Strathclyde revealed most Scots lack the confidence to start their own business, with around six in ten citing “fear of failure” as a reason they haven’t started out on their own. What’s more, only four in ten believed they had the skills, knowledge and experience.
It also revealed the number of new female entrepreneurs remains below that of the UK, at just 68 per cent compared to the UK’s 73 per cent.
My best advice to those thinking about starting their own business is simple: believe in yourself. Follow your passion, grab opportunities with both hands, do your research and never stop learning. The reality is you’re going to make mistakes, but don’t let that put you off. Trial and error is often how you find solutions, so keep at it.
Take my advice – just throw yourself straight in!
It Made Me Laugh
A headline like “Sleepy Scots village receives tourist boost after serial killing spree” sounds a little unlikely – but there’s an element of truth in it (sort-of).
It’s all down to the brilliant and creepy ‘Loch Henry’ episode of the new Black Mirror series, filmed largely in the tiny village of Arrochar in Argyll and Bute.
Tourist numbers in the sleepy resort have shot up since its release on Netflix last month, with several hoteliers in the area reporting an influx of bookings from people eager to immerse themselves in the “eerie community” for themselves. That even includes comedian Kevin Bridges, who popped into a local pub for a low-down on filming.
Businesses will be rejoicing in this extra tourism boost so it’s far from a Highland horror story.
It Made Me Weep
Residents in Orkney could be set for a major shake-up if councillors vote to leave the UK and become a self-governing territory of Norway.
The council leader has accused the Scottish and UK governments of discrimination towards islanders, despite a commitment by Holyrood to contribute in excess of £90m to services between 2023–24.
I would be sad to wave farewell to Orkney but can understand residents’ frustrations. The impact of Covid on tourism was huge, and coupled with a failing ferry fleet, I really feel for the islanders whose voices aren’t being heard.
I sincerely hope a resolution is found to keep this iconic Scottish archipelago on our side.
