Kings Norton independent businesses speak about fears over winter electricity bills in cost of living crisis

High Streets across Birmingham have been impacted by rise in prices as the cost of living crisis continues - whether it’s raw materials, bills, or staffing issues - its affecting businesses from multiple angles.

Just like other neighbourhoods, businesses in south Birmingham suburb King’s Norton too are looking for ways to tighten their purse strings and could be forced to raise the price of their services.

BirminghamWorld visited The Green earlier this week to find out how independent businesses in one of the city’s most historical areas are coping.

Koré Hairdressing has been in business on The Green for more than a decade. Director Lagy Constantinou, 62, has many trusted local clients and friends. He told BirminghamWorld that many of his customers understand the problems facing local businesses.

Like other businesses he has been forced to increase the cost of his services. A cut and blow dry will now be priced at £49.50 rather than £48.50 and wet haircuts for men and women will be £37 in his new price list. And he says that prices may have to rise further ahead of Christmas - and after Christmas.

When asked if he’s worried about losing customers, Lagy said: “Many of my customers understand the problems local businesses are facing and are supportive.” As a hairdresser, Lagy said his worries are mostly about the electricity and water bills, which he hopes get covered by the new prices.

Meanwhile, A & R Dry Cleaning & Laundry Services’s Rod Arundell said: “With regards to electricity, gas and water, we are worried for the future. The bills are going tremendously. At the moment, we are not affected since we are on fixed rates for a period of time but we will shortly run out.

“Once we do, we’re cautious to see what figures gas and electricity go up to. We actually use a lot of gas and electricty for the dryers and washers and dry cleaning machines.”

He added that they are essential workers and they have been open throughout lockdown since people needed washing and dry cleaning for hygeine purposes. They also provide services to care homes and other people.

“Our older clients need constant servicing, so for us, to have the government assist us in any way will certainly help our business in the future,” he added.

He has a team of 4-5 part-time workers and a manager. While the part-time workers are on minimum wage, the manager earns a little more but is on flexible working hours since she is now a grandmother.

What other High Street retailers have to say about the cost of living crisis

The Summer Retail Trend Report by Ankorstore and Mary Portas found that 91% of Birmingham retailers believe high streets are suffering. 74% of those surveyed believe the challenge lays in growing a customer base when opening a new store.

As many as 71% of those surveyed think starting a brick and mortar business is too expensive and not a reliable source of income, and yet almost two thirds of those surveyed living closest to Birimingham have thought about starting their own business.

More information about King’s Norton Green

King’s Norton Green is a historic area and has been a home to icons like The Revd W. V. Awdry, creator of Thomas the Tank Engine, and Oscar-nominated Brian Aherne, and has the biggest collection of medieval buildings in Birmingham.

There is even evidence to show that the area was in use during prehistoric and iron age, according to the Birmingham City Council website. The first recorded history of the area was during the Anglo-Saxon era. If you want to see some historical buildings, there is St Nicolas Church and the Saracen’s Head, surrounding The Green.

It is also well-connected via roads and trains. The King Norton Train Station is easy to access and you can take trains to Birmingham City Centre and beyond from there.

The area is also great for families with school-going children. Kings Norton Girls’ School received an Outstanding from Ofsted in 2019 while Kings Norton Boys’ School received a Good ranking in 2017.

A message from the editor:

Thank you for reading. BirminghamWorld is Birmingham’s latest news website, championing everything that is great about our city - reporting on news, lifestyle and sport. Find out more about who’s who in the team, and our editorial values. We want to start a community among our readers, so please follow us on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram, and keep the conversation going.