SWITCHING off some amusement arcade lights on Southend’s Golden Mile and staff cutbacks are drastic measures being considered as traders brace themselves for soaring energy bills.

Martin Richardson, owner of the Happidrome Arcade on Southend seafront, is expecting a bleak winter, in common with other fearful firms.

Ofgem is set to put up the energy price cap to £4,266 for the average household in the three months from the beginning of January.

Mr Richardson, 56, says it costs around £1,000 to open each day, with electricity bills rising from £200 to £500 already.

He admits he is planning to reduce staffing levels to address financial headaches caused by the energy crisis.

He said: “We are considering not using some of our illuminations outside the business due to the cost.

“I am worried about surviving and expect a long very hard winter.”

Stephen Reynolds, 45, owner of Craftwerk Beers in Southend, is another business owner planning to make reductions.

He said: “Our electric bill has doubled from £400 to £800 a month and we are expecting tough times ahead.

“We are looking at changes such as cheaper ways to cook our food, we don’t think we can afford our pizza oven anymore.

“We are also looking at not having the lights on so early in the day and we are just looking to cut down on our usage.”

He admits the forecasts by experts are “scary” as he braces for a drop in profits.

Hospice bosses are also fearful for the future as they prepare for a drop in donations.Havens hospices have already pointed to a surge in costs for energy.

Eileen Marshall, chief executive of St Luke’s Hospice in Basildon, said: “We are continuing to evaluate the impact of the cost of living crisis and the rising cost of energy on our funding and income levels, however we are expecting an 88 per cent increase in energy costs for this year against the previous year. With less disposal income there is a high risk that donations to our shops could decrease and we rely on our retail income, as well as fundraising and donations, to support our provision of vital palliative and end of life services.”