At least ten percent of the catering industry in Italy is threatened with closure because of the high energy prices in Europe. Especially the younger and less solid cafes, bars and restaurants are shaking, reports the gastronomy association Fipe-Confcommercio. “All productive sectors of the country are on site,” emphasized Aldo Cursano, vice president of the association. He called for a cap on gas prices at EU level.
According to estimates by trade association Confesercenti, the catering industry will spend almost two billion euros more on energy and gas in the coming twelve months than in the previous twelve months. “The latest invoices we received for the period June-July show increases of up to 400 percent compared to the previous year. A blow that could destroy some 30,000 catering establishments,” Confersercenti warned.
Ice cream parlors and pastry shops are also under threat
According to Confartigianato, small food businesses — which employ 70,000 craft businesses and employ 271,000 people — have increased electricity and gas prices by 1.2 billion in the past 12 months. In particular, the bills of the 17,500 ice cream parlors and confectioners rose by an average of 300 to 350 percent last year.
According to Confcommercio, the scenario looming between now and the first half of 2023 is “dramatic”. About 120,000 small service businesses and 370,000 jobs are at risk.
In winter there is less heating
Italy wants to save less energy and heat in winter. From October, radiators in Italy will be left on for one hour less per day, causing the temperature to drop by one degree. In the warmer south of the country, the radiators were also allowed two hours less a day. This is one of the measures that the government in Rome is planning to save energy.
The austerity measures will be announced next week as part of an aid package to limit the negative impact of energy prices and inflation on businesses and households. Municipalities are expected to reduce public lighting as part of measures to reduce energy consumption.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
