The owner of Pulp & Thread in Tanunda, Natalie Siegele has spoken of the increasing struggle to stay open as the cost of energy rises

The owner of a small business in Tanunda has spoken of the constant struggle to stay afloat as the cost of energy continues to rise.

Natalie Siegele, owner of Pulp & Thread cafe in Tanunda, is concerned about rising energy prices. Picture: Brenton Edwards

The owner of a small business in Tanunda has spoken of her struggle to keep the doors open as power prices continue to rise, saying “business is worse than it was during the pandemic.”

Natalie Siegele, the owner of Pulp & Thread – a cafe and fashion store on the main street of Tanunda – said she has been forced to unplug freezers due to soaring energy prices.

“It’s just getting tougher and tougher with rising costs,” she said.

“Our power bill the last two quarters has been over $5000 so we’ve had to unplug our display fridges, and a couple of freezers out the back.”

Ms Siegele said the power bill used to be close to $2000, but unplugging the extra fridges they now have hasn’t decreased the price that much.

“The jump is huge and it’s not just power, it’s gas as well,” she said.

“That’s up over $1500 a quarter as well … it’s just outrageous.

“It’s unrealistic to keep the cost that high.”

Ms Siegele, who has been running Pulp & Thread for seven years, said the increasing cost has put stress on several other businesses in the area.

“If nothing changes really soon, then I can see more businesses closing down,” she said.

“You just can’t keep going like that and be successful.

“If every second door is closing down or really struggling, then what’s the point of being here if it’s just so stressful.”

Ms Siegele said this current period has put more of a financial strain on the company than during the Covid pandemic.

Natalie Siegele, owner of Pulp & Thread cafe in Tanunda, said the current climate is worse than during the Covid pandemic. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“Through Covid, even that was easier, we were busy, because the people had money to spend,” she said.

“We were open the whole time, people were spending and wanted that reassurance … it was great having people come in.

“But now, it’s the complete opposite, it’s worse than it has been in the whole seven years (she’s owned the business).

Ms Siegele said it has got to the point that they have considered shutting.

“Every day it’s like, is it even worth continuing,” she said.

“You try and reinvent the business … you’re always weighing up your options, how many times can you reinvent throughout a cost of living crisis.”

Opposition spokesperson for energy Stephen Patterson said “there appears to be no light at the end of the tunnel”, while under Labor, for small businesses as cost of living pressures rise.

“Apart from an experimental hydrogen plant, which Labor has admitted won’t reduce household power bills, Peter Malinauskas simply has no plans when it comes to lowering electricity costs for hardworking South Australians,” he said.

“This week, we’re bracing for the release of the draft Default Market Offer for electricity.

“If there’s not a substantial drop in prices, it’s just further proof Peter Malinauskas has been sitting on his hands when it comes to helping all South Australians with the steep cost of energy.”

Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis said recent reports have shown that wholesale electricity prices have fallen.

“The latest Australian Energy Market Operator’s report showed a significant reduction in South Australia’s wholesale energy price, with renewable energy driving down the price of electricity in the state,” he said.

“The Liberals should be well aware that the state government does not set electricity prices.”