TIMES ahead look "tough" for small businesses in Salisbury as cost increases are not being met with support.

As the price of energy is set to soar this winter, with businesses facing a 346 per cent increase, one local business has voiced their concerns.

Ebony Paz, owner of Sonder Coffee, which opened in April 2021, recognises that she "will never know the real struggle" that small business owners went through during the Covid pandemic, but she's anticipating a bleak horizon.

This comes after Greengages, a long-running independent business in Salisbury, closed permanently due to overwhelming costs and a barrage of setbacks.

Read more: Greengages Cafe closes - read the director's final message

Ebony said the closure of Greengages signifies "a sign of the times and the great struggle we all have ahead of us" and that all businesses are "in a fight to survive".

Salisbury Journal: Ebony Paz, owner of Sonder Coffee.Ebony Paz, owner of Sonder Coffee.

Reflecting on the impact Covid had on Salisbury traders, Ebony said: "These businesses never made it through the thousands of pounds they had to pay out through this time, even though they were given some support, recovering from something like that is near impossible.

"We all run off of small cash flows and small margins, and one poor week makes a substantial difference."

The cost of living for customers combined with immense costs for business owners is creating an uncertain future for many independents across the country. 

Some businesses are bringing in cheaper alternatives to help meet customers in the middle.

Support to combat increased energy bills hasn't been clear said Ebony, adding: "The horizon looks tough for all small businesses. 

"Without some way to stop us putting the cost of goods and inflation onto our valuable customers, who knows what will happen."

Independent businesses are known for how they bring communities together, something Ebony said Salisbury needs during tough times.

"All that I know is independent and personal businesses is what the community in Salisbury and around the country needs right now and Greengages can be proud they were a part of that."

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