Some businesses in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge say they are struggling to make a profit as fuel prices soar towards £2 a litre.
Disruptions around critical shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz have tightened global oil supplies amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The war has contributed to a rise of roughly 50 per cent in global oil prices since June.
Petrol prices across the region vary, but in Burnham-On-Sea on Thursday evening diesel was at £1.99 per litre and unleaded at £1.72 at the town’s Esso stations.
Burnham and Highbridge Taxis says the fuel costs have been a challenge. Abdul Hashim told Burnham-On-Sea.com the rising costs have been “a nightmare — we have been badly affected.”
He adds that part of the issue is that taxi fares are set by Somerset Council and can’t rise every time there is a fuel price increase, so operating profits are reducing.
Highbridge haulier RT Keedwell says it is also being hit by the issue. Dee Keedwell told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “It’s awful at the moment — we are closely watching rising fuel prices every day.”
“Regrettably we are having to pass on the higher operating costs to customers. If we took on the hit, we wouldn’t be here.”
”At the moment many firms in the haulage industry don’t know what the future holds and many are struggling.”
Meanwhile, volunteer blood bike charity Freewheelers, which supports the NHS by delivering lifesaving medical products, said they are “sucking up the impact in our reserves”.
The organisation covers an operational distance of more than 220,000 miles a year across Bristol, Somerset, Bath and west Wiltshire.
“We’ve spent £17,000 on fuel per year over the last couple of years,” said the charity’s Chris MacDonald. “This current year it’s heading towards £22,000, so it’s a significant jump.”
