The Great British Benefits Handout

[nicanary]

Mother of 6 kids intends to open a sandwich shop. Would it really support such a large family?

Mother of 4 kids wants to open a shop selling bespoke kids' dresses. Depends how affluent the area is, but I know women who've tried this, and the rent and rates come to more than the turnover. No way the profit would support a family.

Got to give them credit for trying.

[Laurel Green]

Give them credit? That's how it all started!

[e21Mark]

What is it with the whole throwing cash in the air?

Sandwich shop? Could be a winner but shop rent, business rates, break, rolls, fillings etc? I can see £26k going down pretty quickly. Dad might want to sort those teeth out if he's going to be serving on the counter!

Kids clothes manufactured and sold? Even with a big mark up can she really make enough clothes, let alone sell them?!

[e21Mark]

Why waste time looking at derelict buildings? Elvis and Danny need a reality check!

[Laurel Green]

A catering wagon would be a better bet. Re dress making; seems more like a pipe dream than a full time earner.

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

Laurel Green said:

A catering wagon would be a better bet.

Wasn't that what they were just looking at not many minutes ago?

[nicanary]

Just watching the third family - apparently if you're not working you lose the ability to bring the kids toys in from the garden. I really feel for them.

The bespoke kids dresses might work if the shop's in Alderley Edge. Otherwise it's almost guaranteed to fail, although to be fair she's going to start by selling on the net.

[Laurel Green]

Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah said:

Wasn't that what they were just looking at not many minutes ago?

Quite possibly when I was refreshing my plonk?

[Laurel Green]

nicanary said:

The bespoke kids dresses might work if the shop's in Alderley Edge. Otherwise it's almost guaranteed to fail, although to be fair she's going to start by selling on the net.

Isn't she living in Basildon? There's a great big travelers camp just up the road from there.

[Laurel Green]

A tad rough being evicted for coming off benefits.

[nicanary]

Laurel Green said:

nicanary said:

The bespoke kids dresses might work if the shop's in Alderley Edge. Otherwise it's almost guaranteed to fail, although to be fair she's going to start by selling on the net.

Isn't she living in Basildon? There's a great big travelers camp just up the road from there.

Now there's a thing. That woman who made gypsy wedding dresses seemed to do OK for herself. Niche market, but travellers have a penchant for paying with cash. Creative accountancy is possible.

The couple buying the food bar don't seem to have asked to see the accounts. It would give them an idea of what sort of income to expect.

[Mcphisto]

Need to make sure the factory isn't about to close and that they would get to operate from the factory grounds.

[baldy1926]

Why is it despite saying they have no money why do they all drink,smoke and have loads of tramp stamps

[Balmoral]

nicanary said:

Mother of 6 kids intends to open a sandwich shop. ?

Mother of 4 kids wants to open a shop selling bespoke kids' dresses.

Not to do with benefits telly, but on this subject, my home town has a number of shops that seem to be on a continuous cycle of...

let > repainted & refurbed > trade for 6 months or so > fail > shop cleared > empty for a bit > re-let and repeat.

Each and every time I've thought, how can that possibly work? just doing basic figures in my head for costs and likely turnover, I'll give it 3 months, 6 months or whatever.

Each time there must be a good £30K wasted or written off, or a new bankrupt and a dream shattered. I'm all for enterprise and having a go, but so many seem to have no idea.

[nicanary]

Balmoral said:

nicanary said:

Mother of 6 kids intends to open a sandwich shop. ?

Mother of 4 kids wants to open a shop selling bespoke kids' dresses.

Not to do with benefits telly, but on this subject, my home town has a number of shops that seem to be on a continuous cycle of...

let > repainted & refurbed > trade for 6 months or so > fail > shop cleared > empty for a bit > re-let and repeat.

Each and every time I've thought, how can that possibly work? just doing basic figures in my head for costs and likely turnover, I'll give it 3 months, 6 months or whatever.

Each time there must be a good £30K wasted or written off, or a new bankrupt and a dream shattered. I'm all for enterprise and having a go, but so many seem to have no idea.

I've wondered whether they get the idea from the TV company. They apply and get interviewed, and at the interview they get asked what skills they have. It's then suggested that they open a shop where they can utilise those skills (i.e. dressmaking). It'll make for good TV, even if the poor woman will be completely out of her depth, and the business will have no chance to succeed.

I know someone who had a dressmaking shop - trying to get people through the door is very difficult, because there's just no demand. She went bankrupt.

[everyeggabird]

Can I please have £26k to start up a business.Oh no I forgot, I am one of the idiots that actually bothered to get a trade and work for a living.

How can it be allowed that people can be on benefits for 10/15/20 years.

[e21Mark]

everyeggabird said:

Can I please have £26k to start up a business.Oh no I forgot, I am one of the idiots that actually bothered to get a trade and work for a living.

How can it be allowed that people can be on benefits for 10/15/20 years.

Change of attitudes I think?

I can remember my Dad having to sign on for a spell, after an industrial injury. He was literally in tears at the prospect and the humiliation he felt at having to take money from the state. This was the late 70's or early 80's and there were no queues of solicitors waiting to fight his corner and most people were loathed to take what they saw as handouts. Nowadays though, it your rights innit.

[Frimley111R]

everyeggabird said:

How can it be allowed that people can be on benefits for 10/15/20 years.

Its more about 'Whats the alternative'? Single mum with 4 kids and no time to do a job because there's no-one to look after the kids. Do they end up on the street? Very low earners who barely/just make what they would on benefits. Its frustrating at times (don't mention phones, fags and alcohol, etc) but these are mostly very difficult cases to deal with.

[Frimley111R]

nicanary said:

Just watching the third family - apparently if you're not working you lose the ability to bring the kids toys in from the garden. I really feel for them.

The bespoke kids dresses might work if the shop's in Alderley Edge. Otherwise it's almost guaranteed to fail, although to be fair she's going to start by selling on the net.

I spotted that too. Stuff all over the garden.

I think for the seamstress woman she'd be better off starting an alterations business from home. I've seen lots of demand for that but agree about the dresses.

[Frimley111R]

Balmoral said:

Not to do with benefits telly, but on this subject, my home town has a number of shops that seem to be on a continuous cycle of...

let > repainted & refurbed > trade for 6 months or so > fail > shop cleared > empty for a bit > re-let and repeat.

Each and every time I've thought, how can that possibly work? just doing basic figures in my head for costs and likely turnover, I'll give it 3 months, 6 months or whatever.

Each time there must be a good £30K wasted or written off, or a new bankrupt and a dream shattered. I'm all for enterprise and having a go, but so many seem to have no idea.

I'm watching someone doing that right now with a Beauty Salon. Loads of competition, no parking nearby, not obvious from the roadside and with no idea how to market the business (she budgeted £100 a month for 'marketing'!)