How have tiers and lock downs affected YOUR business?
Discussion
I am interested in what business owners here have seen happen to their cash flow and employee numbers since the restrictions on our lives began 10 months back. I make no excuses and no bones about saying i am anti-lockdown (yes i have heard all the pro-lockdown arguments) and i know many other people who feel the same.
I had 7 employees, i now have 5. Nett income has fallen over 40%, but we do not qualify for government help. We fall through the gaps, so to speak.
We won't starve, luckily and the business will stay open but seeing shop after shop, business after business, pub after pub close is utterly depressing, especially for people i know who gave up so much to make a living, what looked like a good living at that. Our firm is tiny but telling 2 long term workers they are no longer needed was a very tough and horrible thing i had to do recently. One has 3 kids. It must be horrifying when, say, 500 people are told to leave and not come back.
Baron Hindsight/Lord Lockdown, Sir (why Sir?) Starmer is so anti-business he should be ashamed of himself. Better than Corbyn? Barely!
I had 7 employees, i now have 5. Nett income has fallen over 40%, but we do not qualify for government help. We fall through the gaps, so to speak.
We won't starve, luckily and the business will stay open but seeing shop after shop, business after business, pub after pub close is utterly depressing, especially for people i know who gave up so much to make a living, what looked like a good living at that. Our firm is tiny but telling 2 long term workers they are no longer needed was a very tough and horrible thing i had to do recently. One has 3 kids. It must be horrifying when, say, 500 people are told to leave and not come back.
Baron Hindsight/Lord Lockdown, Sir (why Sir?) Starmer is so anti-business he should be ashamed of himself. Better than Corbyn? Barely!
Sorry to hear your business suffered especially badly.
It was a very sharp V shaped recovery for us, and very quickly back to normal.
Lockdowns don't hit every sector equally. Some like Amazon benefit from closure of high street. So inequality is the most concerning result. We sit in the middle and are pretty much unaffected.
I don't say this to be smug, just to highlight this hits some more than others. And those who are hardest hit (such as hospitality zero hours) don't tend to be the kind of voters who are first in line to vote tory on a wet Election Day.
I'm also interested how you see Starmer in all this!
It was a very sharp V shaped recovery for us, and very quickly back to normal.
Lockdowns don't hit every sector equally. Some like Amazon benefit from closure of high street. So inequality is the most concerning result. We sit in the middle and are pretty much unaffected.
I don't say this to be smug, just to highlight this hits some more than others. And those who are hardest hit (such as hospitality zero hours) don't tend to be the kind of voters who are first in line to vote tory on a wet Election Day.
I'm also interested how you see Starmer in all this!
Last March, seven employees. Now three and two of those are furloughed. Turnover down 60% and recovery will take years.
We will be fine, but it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better. For example, when furlough ends, it's highly likely those two employees will be let go. I'm sure I'm not alone and there are a huge number of unemployed just waiting to be told in April.
Back in the summer, we spent a week in France and met a couple from Merseyside who had spent three weeks touring France in their motor home. When questioned on how they got all that time off, it was airily dismissed as 'we're furloughed'. No concern for the future, no concern for their jobs, it was one big Government funded holiday. Which, for a few civil servants secure in their employment it was/is.
We will be fine, but it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better. For example, when furlough ends, it's highly likely those two employees will be let go. I'm sure I'm not alone and there are a huge number of unemployed just waiting to be told in April.
Back in the summer, we spent a week in France and met a couple from Merseyside who had spent three weeks touring France in their motor home. When questioned on how they got all that time off, it was airily dismissed as 'we're furloughed'. No concern for the future, no concern for their jobs, it was one big Government funded holiday. Which, for a few civil servants secure in their employment it was/is.
Tyre Smoke said:
Back in the summer, we spent a week in France and met a couple from Merseyside who had spent three weeks touring France in their motor home. When questioned on how they got all that time off, it was airily dismissed as 'we're furloughed'. No concern for the future, no concern for their jobs, it was one big Government funded holiday. Which, for a few civil servants secure in their employment it was/is.
Where does this idea that civil servants all got furloughed come from? I thought the only public sector staff who were eligible were those who worked for public bodies that relied on some commercial income - sports centres, galleries, museums etc.? Did that change?My main business was up 30% last year, no one furloughed, took on an extra employee as well.
The other business has now been closed for 5 out of the last 10 months as its retail facing, Takings are down 50%, the grants given have helped cover a large part of this and have been an enormous help.
The other business has now been closed for 5 out of the last 10 months as its retail facing, Takings are down 50%, the grants given have helped cover a large part of this and have been an enormous help.
IroningMan said:
Where does this idea that civil servants all got furloughed come from? I thought the only public sector staff who were eligible were those who worked for public bodies that relied on some commercial income - sports centres, galleries, museums etc.? Did that change?
Where did I say all civil servants? Ffs! Read the post. I said a few.
k business in charge then.StephMurphy said:
I had 7 employees, i now have 5. Nett income has fallen over 40%, but we do not qualify for government help. We fall through the gaps, so to speak.
Much the same as last year. Savings from WFH and no holidays (for me - not the staff) have mainly offset some inevitable bad debt.
Lockdowns are a disaster for working parents with kids under 7. They are destructive to workplace productivity and parental mental health. I have heard tales from a lot of employers about that problem essentially being landed on them by staff. Demands to be furloughed have risen in the last week.
I think there is a fair bit of Employer\Employee stress in the system which I think will deteriorate in the coming months.
Lockdowns are a disaster for working parents with kids under 7. They are destructive to workplace productivity and parental mental health. I have heard tales from a lot of employers about that problem essentially being landed on them by staff. Demands to be furloughed have risen in the last week.
I think there is a fair bit of Employer\Employee stress in the system which I think will deteriorate in the coming months.
Tyre Smoke said:
IroningMan said:
Where does this idea that civil servants all got furloughed come from? I thought the only public sector staff who were eligible were those who worked for public bodies that relied on some commercial income - sports centres, galleries, museums etc.? Did that change?
Where did I say all civil servants? Ffs! Read the post. I said a few.
ant1973 said:
Lockdowns are a disaster for working parents with kids under 7. They are destructive to workplace productivity and parental mental health. I have heard tales from a lot of employers about that problem essentially being landed on them by staff. Demands to be furloughed have risen in the last week.
I really can't see another lockdown being tolerated by society as a whole. I'm not entirely certain this current one is. StevieBee said:
ant1973 said:
Lockdowns are a disaster for working parents with kids under 7. They are destructive to workplace productivity and parental mental health. I have heard tales from a lot of employers about that problem essentially being landed on them by staff. Demands to be furloughed have risen in the last week.
I really can't see another lockdown being tolerated by society as a whole. I'm not entirely certain this current one is. I work for a distributor for a footwear brand that supplies the retail industry across the UK and Ireland (we also have some of our own shops operating as concessions in Ireland) - we work with many different size businesses, from 100 chain multiples to single owner stores and everything in between. I am also the area manager for the UK, Ireland, France, BeNeLux and Italian markets, so in a fortunate position to speak to our agents and customers across this territory to get feedback 'from the ground'.
Many of the smaller shops can be staffed by the owners and quite often can own the premises - other than a huge dip in sales, their stock is paid for, staff furloughed, so other than being fed up are in a relatively secure position. Larger store groups with city centre sites have generally had less help from landlords and are saddled with footfall that has fallen through the floor. It only takes a couple of these to drain business' cash reserves leaving them in a perilous position.
The direct problem for our business is in about 6-12 months time. As we sell one season forward (about to start autumn/winter 2021) and the shops are full of stock from being closed sporadically since September, we need pairs delivered and paid in order to make a margin. Worst case buyers won't commit to stock for AW21 as they have stock, then brands cannot survive with no turnover so in a years' time there are less brands left. We don't sell to customers in February and March for delivery autumn for fun - it takes at least 3 months to get the stock made and delivered. If we're still locked down until the end of March this is a going to wipe out many, many businesses for good.
We don't qualify for any grants and have CBILS coming out of our ears, and whilst some of the staff are furloughed it doesn't dent the fact we aren't selling anything. So the sooner we can get consumer confidence back (be it through a vaccine or diminishing cases/deaths) the better for us. I am convinced that as social animals, people still like the experience of retail and hospitality and it will return. It's just how long we all can weather it for.
Many say 'just diversify' and 'sell online' - this is banded around like the solution. The problem is everyone is doing the same, and the global online platform means you can get the same style anywhere, especially Amazon who undercut everyone as part of their commerce algorithm. Also, the trend has changed. No-one in offices/weddings/celebrations means no smart shoes are being sold, just trainers and house shoes - stock and money is tied up in everything except for these groups so it makes cashflow a challenge.
What makes it very frustrating is that I don't agree with lockdowns being used the way they have. It seems to be crippling everything for WHEN this virus' back is broken and leaving a huge debt and redundancies in the wake. Whether it is the right decision or not to save lives, there is nothing I can do apart from spit feathers to myself, so I'm just resided to accept. As I say to friends and family, I represent a one small part of the industry - extrapolated out it's really quite a worrying time.
We will absolutely come out of the other side - 'the comeback is always stronger than the setback', but my god, it's going to be a challenge.
TLDR; what a pain in a**e
Many of the smaller shops can be staffed by the owners and quite often can own the premises - other than a huge dip in sales, their stock is paid for, staff furloughed, so other than being fed up are in a relatively secure position. Larger store groups with city centre sites have generally had less help from landlords and are saddled with footfall that has fallen through the floor. It only takes a couple of these to drain business' cash reserves leaving them in a perilous position.
The direct problem for our business is in about 6-12 months time. As we sell one season forward (about to start autumn/winter 2021) and the shops are full of stock from being closed sporadically since September, we need pairs delivered and paid in order to make a margin. Worst case buyers won't commit to stock for AW21 as they have stock, then brands cannot survive with no turnover so in a years' time there are less brands left. We don't sell to customers in February and March for delivery autumn for fun - it takes at least 3 months to get the stock made and delivered. If we're still locked down until the end of March this is a going to wipe out many, many businesses for good.
We don't qualify for any grants and have CBILS coming out of our ears, and whilst some of the staff are furloughed it doesn't dent the fact we aren't selling anything. So the sooner we can get consumer confidence back (be it through a vaccine or diminishing cases/deaths) the better for us. I am convinced that as social animals, people still like the experience of retail and hospitality and it will return. It's just how long we all can weather it for.
Many say 'just diversify' and 'sell online' - this is banded around like the solution. The problem is everyone is doing the same, and the global online platform means you can get the same style anywhere, especially Amazon who undercut everyone as part of their commerce algorithm. Also, the trend has changed. No-one in offices/weddings/celebrations means no smart shoes are being sold, just trainers and house shoes - stock and money is tied up in everything except for these groups so it makes cashflow a challenge.
What makes it very frustrating is that I don't agree with lockdowns being used the way they have. It seems to be crippling everything for WHEN this virus' back is broken and leaving a huge debt and redundancies in the wake. Whether it is the right decision or not to save lives, there is nothing I can do apart from spit feathers to myself, so I'm just resided to accept. As I say to friends and family, I represent a one small part of the industry - extrapolated out it's really quite a worrying time.
We will absolutely come out of the other side - 'the comeback is always stronger than the setback', but my god, it's going to be a challenge.
TLDR; what a pain in a**e
Starmer would clearly lock down the moment 'flu got a little heavy with us. So he'll no doubt be calling for lock downs annually now. After all flu kills thousands despite decades of ''jabs'' being available.
I accept that Boris had little option this time, all things considered, but whilst the average Covid age has come down recently it is still above 80 years old, in other words on a par with life expectancy in UK.
The real pain from trashing our economy won't be fully felt for some time. Suicide is already way up as is domestic violence, poverty, homelessness and marital/partner splits.
Several of the businesses we deal with have folded already, 2 of which hung on and on and ultimately threw the towel in with great regret.
I am pleased for the people above who have done ok, that's nice to know. Alas i see our next few months being maybe half what we usually make.
I accept that Boris had little option this time, all things considered, but whilst the average Covid age has come down recently it is still above 80 years old, in other words on a par with life expectancy in UK.
The real pain from trashing our economy won't be fully felt for some time. Suicide is already way up as is domestic violence, poverty, homelessness and marital/partner splits.
Several of the businesses we deal with have folded already, 2 of which hung on and on and ultimately threw the towel in with great regret.
I am pleased for the people above who have done ok, that's nice to know. Alas i see our next few months being maybe half what we usually make.
Online travel here. Our niche / sector is being slaughtered.
2020 started great for us and we'd laid the groundwork and planned for growth into new markets and a fund raise. Instead, like so many others, we're fighting to survive and will post our first trading loss this year.
We fall through most of the cracks; no rates relief or local biz grants as everything's online and we all work from home, and furlough is peanuts due to us having spent the last few years paying ourselves from the profits we made as we built the biz. A BBL has given us cash to keep things going for now, but it won't last forever and is the first debt on our books.
2020 started great for us and we'd laid the groundwork and planned for growth into new markets and a fund raise. Instead, like so many others, we're fighting to survive and will post our first trading loss this year.
We fall through most of the cracks; no rates relief or local biz grants as everything's online and we all work from home, and furlough is peanuts due to us having spent the last few years paying ourselves from the profits we made as we built the biz. A BBL has given us cash to keep things going for now, but it won't last forever and is the first debt on our books.
timbobalob said:
If we're still locked down until the end of March this is a going to wipe out many, many businesses for good.
Many of our former clients and partners (and competitors) have already failed - more will follow. One or two have 'phoenixed', but shed all their staff in the process. It's heart-breaking.timbobalob said:
We will absolutely come out of the other side - 'the comeback is always stronger than the setback', but my god, it's going to be a challenge.
This. My OH has got some temp work and I'm fortunate to have 'transferrable skills' (<blatantplug>anyone need a temp/part-time Java Dev/Architect/CTO?</blatantplug>) so we can get to the other side of this but, yeah, a challenge.timbobalob said:
TLDR; what a pain in a**e
Yep.WORK from home!
Does anyone else sigh when this ''work from home'' order keeps being repeated?
Can so many people really work from home? I would think very few could or they would have been doing it already. Who sits in traffic every day because they like burning fuel and paying for it? Who likes an hour or 2 in traffic every day? Who enjoys parking hassles and expense, especially in or near cities? Who likes park and ride? Who likes adding lots of unnecessary miles to their odometer?
Then there are the downsides of working from home. Statistics show more marital problems when you're 24/7 together. A quarter of all marriages begin at work, so where does working from home sit with that?
Of the 6 closest neighbours i have 1 could work from home, at a pinch.
Does anyone else sigh when this ''work from home'' order keeps being repeated?
Can so many people really work from home? I would think very few could or they would have been doing it already. Who sits in traffic every day because they like burning fuel and paying for it? Who likes an hour or 2 in traffic every day? Who enjoys parking hassles and expense, especially in or near cities? Who likes park and ride? Who likes adding lots of unnecessary miles to their odometer?
Then there are the downsides of working from home. Statistics show more marital problems when you're 24/7 together. A quarter of all marriages begin at work, so where does working from home sit with that?
Of the 6 closest neighbours i have 1 could work from home, at a pinch.
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