Energy bills multiplied by 6, 8, 10 or even 17 for some. As for other craftsmen, the blow dealt to restaurateurs by the surge in electricity and gas prices is severe. Perhaps even fatal to certain establishments which might be forced to lower the curtain in a few weeks.
Thierry Marx, the brand new boss of the Union of Hotel Trades and Industries (Umih), therefore took up the pen to write to the Minister of the Economy, that the restaurateurs have already met on Thursday. If he greets the limit set at 280 euros per MWh for VSEs, the starred chef denounces “irresponsible energy suppliers who lead us cleanly by giving up nothing on the unjustified tariffs they charge”. He calls on the executive to extend the system to all SMEs. And to warn: “By dint of pulling on the rope, our companies will go out of business and France will take to the streets. »
The call of the restorers
“Mr. Minister of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty,
Our businesses are in danger! With gas and electricity prices soaring, energy providers have found nothing better than to recklessly raise their rates far beyond the impact of rising fuel costs. energy.
The observation is therefore very clear: our restaurants and our hotels are seeing their energy bills soar while energy supplier profits break records !
And, for them, each passing day is a godsend to reap extraordinary profits. To the accusation of not “playing the game enough” by inflating their prices, they responded by the signing of a charter of 25 commitments to “offer contracts under the best possible conditions”.
In reality, what has changed for our companies? Nothing. They are more than ever faced with soaring energy bills that they no longer have the means to pay.
The Umih presented to you, among other things, the example of a restaurateur in Perpignan who saw his December receipt increase by nearly 1,700% from 703 euros to 11,792 euros, almost his annual result. Our member found an offer six times cheaper at EDF, but Total Energy demands 250,000 euros from him to terminate!
Our companies are taken hostage by irresponsible energy suppliers who lead us cleanly by giving up nothing on the unjustified tariffs which they practice.
Minister, the situation has become untenable. The State must put all its weight in the balance to put an end to this indecent enrichment of energy suppliers on the backs of our companies.
The Umih takes note of the request made to energy suppliers to renegotiate excessive contracts of all VSEs and expects this measure to be extended to all SMEs.
The Umih requests that the determination of what constitutes excessive, even prohibitive tariffs, should not be left to the discretion of energy suppliers.
The Umih demands, for this, the setting of a reference tariff for electricity and gas, regulated and supervised, which serves as a calculation for the establishment of a “responsible energy contract” acceptable to our companies. It welcomes the government’s new proposal for a guaranteed average price of 280 euros per MWh for the year 2023 for all VSEs with fewer than 10 employees and 2 million in turnover. This progress does not take into account all of our establishments. We ask that all our restaurants and all our hotels be able to benefit from this regulated rate.
The Umih requires the possibility of automatic termination, free of charge, of all contracts at excessive rates in favor of this “responsible energy contract”. If the energy suppliers do not comply, immediately carry out your threat to taxation of their superprofits to fund this scheme.
As you know, our independent restaurateurs and hoteliers are naturally unfavorable to any additional taxes weighing on businesses. But today we are witnessing organized racketeering. Mr. Minister, our fate is linked because, by dint of pulling on the rope, our companies will go out of business and France will take to the streets. We no longer have time to wait. Take action! We will then be at your side.
Thierry Marx, confederal president of Umih
Éric Abihssira, confederal vice-president of Umih”