The renowned boss of a family business operating across North Herts has called upon new PM Liz Truss to help struggling independent companies with their sharply rising energy bills.

Fabio Vincenti, popular owner of Fabio's Gelato which has stores in Hitchin and Letchworth as well as a site in Weston, asked the new Tory leader for assistance.

As Nub News has previously reported in our special feature on the cost of living crisis in our area, hard-working family man Fabio shared the staggering spike in energy bills he is set to face, in a rapidly rising problem that many are experiencing not just in North Herts but up and down the land.

Speaking to Nub News, Fabio sent a message to new PM Truss, saying: "Help is required urgently for business owners facing a huge rise in electric and energy bills.

"The new Prime Minister has to listen to small businesses across the county and negotiate a price cap like they have for domestic users.

"Liz Truss has a big task ahead - we have run our cash flow forecast and will be closing for two months in the winter to save us money.

"It's a pretty grim situation for a large number of small, independent businesses like ourselves."

Fabio also shared concerns about Hitchin MP Bim Afolami being nowhere to be seen amid the ongoing crisis.

While Mr Afolami may have serious career issues of his own to deal with, in terms of his stalled upward trajectory in Westminster - given that he backed the wrong horse in Rishi Sunak - Fabio has not been impressed with the lack of help from Hitchin's Parliamentarian during the cost of living crisis.

Millions of small businesses and households across the UK, including North Herts, are fearful for the future as they continue to grapple with soaring energy bills as the cost of living crisis continues to bite.

Fabio added: "Some pressure needs to be put on Bim - if he remains. He needs to come and speak to business owners and see the damage that's happening. He seems too quiet at the moment."

Something that Mr Afolami would do good to heed given that Hitchin's Parliamentary seat would be won by the Liberal Democrats' Sam Collins if a General Election was held this week, according to the latest study here