The late night sector expects to see little or no benefit from the revised government Energy Relief Scheme, with 82% stating that they will either barely break even or lose money.

The figures, from a flash poll of members of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), found that under the current scheme 48.4% are barely breaking even, with 32.2% losing money, this changes to 42.9% barely breaking even and 39.7% losing money when the scheme changes in April.

Currently 45.2% of respondents have seen more than a 200% increase in energy costs, with 11.3% seeing costs up by more than 400%. This is forecast to change to 51.6% and 16.1%, respectively.

The was also highlighted by many in the poll that while the energy relief scheme, alongside oil and gas market fluctuation, has brought the energy prices down, there is still a considerable level of financial pressure being placed on the sector through indirect costs from the supply chain, who are faced with a similar trading environment.

The challenge is that frontline businesses are unable to increase current price levels for fear of impacting consumers at a time when they have less disposable income, the association said.

Commenting on the results of the poll, Michael Kill, CEO, NTIA said: “Independent businesses are being ignored, recent figures from CGA Neilson have shown a 13% contraction in independent licensed premises businesses, compared to 3% contraction in the managed sector.”

“While the government talks about long term strategy and growth, businesses and livelihoods are being lost today. Energy companies have profiteered off the government’s energy relief scheme, to the detriment of the night time economy and hospitality sectors.”

Sacha Lord NTE Advisor Greater Manchester and chair of the NTIA, added: “Throughout, the government seemed only interested in getting feedback from the big hospitality chains, when actually the independents make up 80% of the sector.”

“Not only have, in many cases, the energy firms cashed in on the support, by failing to pass it on to businesses; but we are now seeing that the support isn’t really touching the sides.”