At least ten percent of catering establishments in Italy are threatened with closure due to high energy prices in Europe. The younger and less solid cafes, bars and restaurants in particular are shaking, reported the Fipe-Confcommercio gastronomy association. “All productive sectors of the country are on the ground,” emphasized Association Vice President Aldo Cursano. He called for a cap on gas prices at EU level.
According to estimates by the trade association Confesercenti, the catering industry will spend almost two billion euros more on energy and gas in the next twelve months than in the previous twelve months. “The last bills we received for the period June-July show increases of up to 400 percent compared to the previous year. A blow that might ruin around 30,000 catering establishments,” warned Confersercenti.
For small businesses in the food sector – which employs 70,000 artisan businesses employing 271,000 people – electricity price increases have increased electricity and gas bills by 1.2 billion over the last 12 months, according to Confartigianato. The bills at the 17,500 ice cream parlors and pastry shops in particular rose by an average of 300 to 350 percent last year.
According to Confcommercio, the scenario that looms between now and the first half of 2023 is “dramatic”. About 120,000 small service businesses and 370,000 jobs are at risk.
Italy wants to save energy and heat less in winter. From October, radiators in Italy will stay on for an hour less per day, dropping the temperature by one degree. In the warmer south of the country, the radiators might also be switched on for two hours less per day. This is one of the measures the government in Rome is planning to save energy.
The austerity measures are due to be unveiled next week as part of an aid package to limit the negative impact of energy prices and inflation on businesses and families. Municipalities are expected to reduce public lighting as part of measures to reduce energy consumption.
