Switched on

Power Cuts and Small Businesses: Battery Backup as a Lifeline

The Growing Need for Energy Resilience

Last year in the UK, more than one in four households reported power cuts lasting between one and two hours, and around 10% experienced outages of three to four hours. As extreme weather events become more common and grid demand rises, these longer outages are expected to increase. For small businesses, even a single prolonged outage can mean thousands of pounds in lost trade. That reality is pushing many cafés, pubs, and shops to consider battery backup not as a luxury but as an essential part of business continuity.Extreme weather, infrastructure faults, and grid strain are making power outages an increasing concern for UK businesses. For small enterprises – cafés, salons, pubs, shops – even a brief blackout can mean spoiled stock, lost sales, or unhappy customers. According to Federation of Small Businesses estimates, a single hour of downtime costs a small business an average of £800 in lost revenue, and a full day can run into £5,000+ depending on turnover. Yet many microbusinesses remain unprepared, underestimating both the likelihood and impact of outages. Investing in backup power can turn a potential nightmare into merely a flicker. Below, we highlight real-world examples of UK small businesses that deployed battery storage to keep the lights on and tills ringing during power cuts.

West Sussex Salon Stays Open Through a Blackout

In August 2024, Q Hair and Beauty Group in Midhurst, West Sussex, experienced a high-street power cut that lasted several hours. The salon, already facing energy bills that had quadrupled since 2021, had installed solar panels and a battery backup earlier that year. The payoff came sooner than expected. “We had a power cut last week in Midhurst, but we were able to run off battery power – for two stylists and four clients – enough to wait for the return of power,” said Kain Lawrence, Q’s Managing Director. Without the battery, the business estimated it would have lost at least £2,000 in cancelled appointments that day, not counting reputational damage. Thanks to their system, they didn’t lose any business or turn customers away. The incident has sparked conversations with clients, who applauded the salon’s foresight. Lawrence added, “In an industry where reputation is everything, being able to keep working when others closed was priceless.”

A 400-Year-Old Pub Goes Off-Grid and Onward

In rural North Devon, the historic Poltimore Arms pub provides a dramatic example of resilience. This 17th-century inn, perched in a remote Exmoor hamlet, had long struggled with unreliable power. In late 2023, the owners invested in a state-of-the-art off-grid solar-and-battery system. The result? The Poltimore Arms can keep the pints flowing even when the local grid is down. During Storm Ciarán in November 2023, which cut power to thousands across the South West, the Poltimore remained fully lit and operational. Landlord Steve Cotten said, “We didn’t miss a beat while the valley was in darkness. Locals flocked here for hot meals and a pint because we were the only place with power.” Being independent of mains supply has made the pub immune to blackouts and soaring energy bills alike. On that stormy weekend alone, the pub estimated it served an extra 200 customers, bringing in over £4,000 in unplanned revenue. For this microbusiness, the battery has turned resilience into competitive advantage – attracting customers when the whole street goes dark elsewhere.

“No Lights Out” at a Northern Irish Guesthouse

In Portrush, Northern Ireland, a 12-bedroom guest house completed a major refurbishment in 2022, installing a 16 kW solar array and large battery storage. Crucially, they chose an “islandable” system – able to run independently if the grid fails. In January 2024, during a regional fault that left much of the North Coast without power for nearly 10 hours, the guesthouse carried on as normal. “An islanded solar system can operate independently of the grid during a power outage. For our client, this meant guests weren’t left in the dark or without heating – a major advantage for both comfort and reputation,” reported the project team. Without backup, the owners estimated they would have had to refund guests nearly £3,000 and face scathing online reviews. Instead, they maintained 100% occupancy and even received praise in guest feedback for being “the only place in town where the Wi-Fi never dropped.” The setup not only slashes their bills and carbon footprint year-round, but also earned them a Green Tourism certification – boosting visibility on booking platforms.

Lessons for Small Business Owners

• Resilience pays off: The Midhurst salon avoided an entire day’s lost revenue; the Portrush B&B avoided refunds and reputational hits; the Devon pub turned an outage into a profitable weekend.

• Batteries beat generators: Silent, instant, no fumes. Customers barely notice an outage occurred.

• Pair with solar for longer coverage: Recharge batteries during daylight, extending resilience.

• Good PR and community goodwill: Staying open when others close builds loyalty and positive press coverage.

  
  

Powering Confidence and Continuity

Small businesses are the lifeblood of their communities – and often the most vulnerable when the power goes out. Whether it’s a café keeping the coffee machine running, a pub serving meals during a storm, or a boutique saving its day’s takings, energy storage is delivering resilience at a very human scale. Importantly, these solutions are no longer exotic or prohibitive. Thanks to falling battery costs and service models, even microbusinesses can take control of their power security. The cases of the salon, pub, and guesthouse show that investing in a battery backup isn’t just about emergency preparedness – it’s about business continuity and peace of mind.

In an era of unpredictable grid supply, a modest battery can mean the difference between shuttering during the next outage or confidently serving customers by battery-powered lamp light. For entrepreneurs and investors alike, that kind of resilience is invaluable.