LIKE many other companies across Teignbridge, Bovey Tracey’ House of Marbles and Teign Valley Glass business is facing rising energy prices. Their glass making side of the business uses both gas and electricity to fuel its furnaces, kilns and ‘glory holes’ which the glass blowers use t keep the molten glass heated.

The company has just entered a two-year contract which should keep fuel bills stable but they have face a steep jump in prices.

Spokesperson Andrea Harkin said: ‘We have been moving away from gas for environmental reasons. Our gas cost is increasing from £17,000 to £50,000 based on consumption of 617,000 kWh whilst the electricity is increasing from £57,000 to £115,000 based on consumption of 350,000 kWh.’

The company has been trading since 1973 and employs up to 100 people depending on the time of year.

Andrea said: ‘It’s worrying times to think about increasing turnover to keep on top of these bills, but we are planning to move towards renewables.

‘We’re already taking smaller cost-saving measures such as low energy lighting, and we have recently undertaken a survey and are planning to move towards solar – we are fortunate to have large areas of roof space.’