‘We’re in SOS territory’ – the triple threat facing small businesses

Faced with an estimated monthly energy bill of £3,000, Beck Prior knew she would have to act fast and be bold.

The entrepreneur has built up a successful business, starting out with a tiny shop in front of her workshop in Old Market and expanding into new premises in Quakers Friars in 2021, where she supports and showcases local makers.

But the independent business is facing unprecedented challenges, with the “triple threat” of Brexit, Covid and a cost of living crisis hitting hard on top of the skyrocketing bills.

Unwilling to increase prices and put the additional costs onto customers – so many of whom are already struggling – Beck vowed to come up with innovative ways to ensure Prior’s survival.

After sharing some of the challenges facing the not-for-profit enterprise, she has been overwhelmed by the support and suggestions for innovative ways to survive.

The story of one small business struggles is reflected across Bristol and beyond as so many face escalating bills at a time when they are only beginning to recover from the impact of the pandemic.

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“I’m forever an optimist and fiercely determined. I will exhaust every single possible opportunity until I’m literally forced into submission – and to be honest even then I’ll still be kicking,” said Beck after admitting the business is in “SOS territory”.

“That said, we had an estimated energy bill of £3,000 per month and I need to think fast and be dramatic with my decisions. We are all facing crippling challenges with energy in our personal lives and I don’t want to increase our prices so that it increases the pressure on our customers.”

A propmaker by trade, it was after battling leukaemia in 2011 that Beck began her entrepreneurial journey. She started making small eco-conscious products using sustainable materials and went on to set up a design studio called Priormade.

When lockdown hit, the business owner responded by going online – building a website from scratch in just two weeks that showcased 40 different designers. The business grew quickly and dramatically and soon had a global reach.

Prior now employs ten people and stocks the work of 150 local, independent, ethical brands.

As for many small businesses, these are challenging times for Prior – photo: Faye Hedges

Beck is now evolving the business model again and has turned Prior shop in Quakers Friars into a creative community hub, with a rotating timetable of exhibitions, yoga classes, life drawing events, wine tastings, creative workshops, meet-the-maker markets, business mentoring and hot-desk spaces for hire.

She hopes to pivot in order to survive and bring other independents along with her.

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Main photo: Faye Hedges

Read more: The entrepreneur forging new paths in the world of business 

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