Rust (dpa / lsw) – restaurateurs and hoteliers in the southwest fear disadvantages in the announced state energy aid. The federal government is apparently planning to take the energy consumption of companies over the past year as a basis for the announced electricity and gas price brake, said the state chairman of the Dehoga industry association, Fritz Engelhardt, on Monday in Rust (Ortenaukreis). Because of corona-related closures, at least a third less energy than usual was used in the industry at the time – the planned aid could now be lower.
In this context, Engelhardt warned of a “disaster for our companies”. He added: “We expect that in such a case we will lose at least as many companies in Baden-Württemberg as we did during the Corona crisis.”
The gas price brake for private households and small and medium-sized companies should take effect by March at the latest – but the federal government is examining retrospective effect from February. Basic consumption subsidized by the state is planned, as is the electricity price brake. This should apply from January.
According to Engelhardt, months of lockdowns during the pandemic hit the industry hard. For the first time in years, the number of hospitality businesses in the country has fallen significantly – by twelve percent. There are no longer more than 3000 companies.
The German Hotel and Restaurant Association (Dehoga) represents the interests of restaurateurs and hoteliers. According to the association, more than 12,000 entrepreneurs are organized in the southwest.
