SURGING energy costs could cause “irreparable harm” to Bournemouth’s business and tourism industry according to the town’s BID.

With the holiday season coming to a close and winter looming, Bournemouth Coastal BID (Business Improvement District) is urging the government to intervene or face collapsing companies and increased joblessness.

Its chairman Paul Clarke, who is also a hotelier, said: “Just as we were starting to get back to normal after the Covid lockdowns we are faced with something more damaging to business.

“Energy costs have spiralled and are now so great they simply wipe out profits and make businesses unsustainable. We are seeing pubs close daily and retail and hospitality businesses are teetering on the edge of a debt-created precipice.

“It is especially hard on hospitality and retailers because they were so affected in the town throughout the pandemic.

“We are coming out of the summer season and energy use will rise as temperatures dip – it is a perfect storm.

“With other BIDs we are actively lobbying the government to do something now. After all it is in their interests to have viable businesses paying taxes. We urge the new Prime Minister to make this their number one priority, or we could be facing a winter of disconnecting.”

The Coastal BID represents businesses from Southbourne to Westbourne.