It's Friday! Which means it's #chippytea night! But if you run a fish and chip shop, do you know what business insurance you need for a fish and chip shop? If not, this video is a great place to start. 📼 youtu.be/kLxHUeP1PrM #FishAndChipShop #FishAndChips #smallbusiness

Issue #122 hits inboxes every other Friday. In the last 3 weeks we've covered IP and the Autumn Budget among other #smallbusiness, energy & insurance issues. Not signed up? Get involved for our traditional "It's a wrap" Issue and great jokes like this 🚕 thebackbone.substack.com/p/issue-122-ho…

If your business is cooking on gas, you need to be on the best possible rates to help make sure your energy bills don’t blow the roof off. And if you’re looking to switch, it helps to know who your current provider is. Here's how to find out... bionic.co.uk/business-energ…

Tomato Energy is the latest supplier to have gone bust. Ofgem has appointed British Gas to be Supplier of Last Resort. But why do suppliers go to the wall? And what should you do if your supplier goes bust or stops trading? Here's all you need to know... bionic.co.uk/business-energ…

Whether you’re a just starting out or an established business, you know to protect your physical assets (equipment, machinery, stock, etc). But what about the non-physical creations that are your intellectual property? Here's all you need to know bionic.co.uk/business-insur…

New UK legislation is came into force in October following recent debates about NDA misuse, which means you may not know exactly when, why and how they should be used. This guide explains all you need to know. bionic.co.uk/business-insur…

On the 1st day of Christmas…check your heating schedule Warm your workplace, not the empty hours. Set timers so heating comes on an hour before opening and off an hour before closing – and nudge the thermostat down by 1°C to save on bills without losing the cosy feel.

On the 2nd day of Christmas…switch things off, not to standby When you clock off for the day, so should your kit. Turn off monitors, lights and non‑essential appliances at the wall to avoid “phantom” energy use nibbling away at your festive profits.

On the 3rd day of Christmas…match your energy use to the weather If it’s a mild winter’s day, turn the heating down or off in rooms that don’t need it. Let cooler days do the work for your fridges, and use bright winter sun to cut back on lighting.

On the 4th day of Christmas…get smart with a meter A smart meter shows exactly when and where your business is using energy, in pounds and pence. That real‑time view makes it easier to spot waste and keep seasonal spending under control.

On the 5th day of Christmas…keep hot water under control Set hot water to around 60°C so it’s safe, effective and not scalding – or wasting energy. Consider touch‑free taps to avoid taps being left running during the Christmas rush.

On the 6th day of Christmas…let there be efficient light Turn off lights in empty rooms and make the most of natural daylight where you can. Swapping halogen bulbs for LEDs is a simple change that can cut lighting costs all year round.

On the 7th day of Christmas…get the whole team involved Share your energy‑saving plan with staff and explain how it protects both profits and the planet. Small actions from everyone – from turning off lights to closing doors – soon add up.

On the 8th day of Christmas...stop draughts sneaking in Seal gaps around doors and windows so the warmth stays in and the winter chill stays out. Low‑cost draught‑proofing can make premises feel more cosy and reduce heating bills.

On the 9th day of Christmas…go paperless where you can Cut back on printing by emailing receipts, sharing documents online and storing files digitally. You’ll save on paper, ink and the energy used to power printers and copiers.

On the 10th day of Christmas…book an energy audit Ask your supplier for an energy audit to see exactly where power is being used and where you can cut back. Knowing your biggest “energy elves” makes it easier to target the right fixes.

On the 11th day of Christmas…match tips to your type of business Whether you run a shop, office, warehouse or factory, focus on the big users: lighting, heating, machinery, refrigeration and IT. Tailored changes for your premises and hours bring the biggest Christmas savings.

On the 12th day of Christmas…compare and switch business energy Even if you’ve been with your supplier for years, you could be on expensive out‑of‑contract rates. Comparing quotes and switching can be a quick way to cut business energy costs going into the new year.