Smaller spa and leisure businesses could be missing cost-cutting opportunity

Businesses in the spa, hospitality and leisure sector could slash their bills by switching suppliers, according to a new study.

Since April 2017, businesses in England no longer have to buy their retail water services from their regional water company, but research has revealed that just 8% per of small businesses in the spa and leisure sector have switched water suppliers since the non-domestic market opened a year ago.

The research, carried out by SES Business Water  in conjunction with YouGov, also showed that, on average, only 43 per cent of small businesses in the sector are switching providers of other services including energy, stationery, IT, healthcare and pensions.

Businesses that switch, can expect to see a reduction in their water bills, and may also see further cost reductions through the identification of abnormally high levels of consumption, says the report.

Max Langford, SES Business Water’s commercial director, said: “Small businesses play a significant role in the country’s economy, but it can be challenging for them to grow and prosper.

“Therefore, they need to be shrewd when it comes to their spending behaviour, especially in today’s uncertain times.

“However, their inactivity in terms of switching suppliers of key products and services could mean they are missing out on a range of important benefits – for water, these include cost, efficiency and resource savings, and better customer support.”