David speak

Sometimes cynical. Sometimes sarcastic. Mostly nice.

[David speak @CricketersDave]

@Sacha_Lord @AndyBurnhamGM Is the support there from yourself and @AndyBurnhamGM for the cut to vat for hospitality?

[David speak @CricketersDave]

@TheWhiteHorsePu The last 12- 18 months has just been horrific. Way way worse than covid times, where there was some actual support.

Over 12 years, there’s been challenges… but I’ve always felt like there’s a way of improving & making things work. I’ve seen a route.

I don’t now.

[David speak @CricketersDave]

@Fred_the_Needle Eh, you literally got a very very similar penalty against Burnley when var decided to intervene.

[David speak @CricketersDave]

@JJWatt @BurnleyOfficial There is something special about this sport. Feel like you’ve properly bought into it, both literally and figuratively.

Despite maybe different things on the line, pretty sure you and the 1000’s in Burnley are sharing the same ‘buzz’ right now.

Get in! UTC

[David speak @CricketersDave]

@greatorex @pub_that We’re closing our restaurant Mondays now. Remaining days we are serving a lunch and evening service rather than all serving all day as previously. We are also cutting an hour a day off closing time for 3 of the days and shortening a Sunday service. Solely The impact of the budget

[David speak @CricketersDave]

@AngelaRayner Find one hospitality business that truly believes your government has done anything to give them a chance to survive and thrive.

One.

Regardless of political leanings, I have not spoke to one other hospitality owner , who feels anything other than thrown under a bus.

[David speak @CricketersDave]

@GaryUsher_ Everyone needs & deserves higher wages. Historically I'd have felt... if you can't afford to pay your staff what they deserve, you don't deserve to operate. However, the huge increases that have been incurred which you've no control over (eg utilities),I don't know anymore.

[David speak @CricketersDave]

@GaryUsher_ I don't feel theres an answer really. I've got to move prices up. Ultimately with less disposable income out there, that may cost us volume. I want to avoid reducing operating hours,that may have to happen.feels really counter intuitive to view a minimum wage increase negatively

[David speak @CricketersDave]

@Sacha_Lord @ofgem For me the absolute lottery of utilities is the killer for hospitality. Businesses made completely unviable just due to the timing of when they were up for renewal. Meanwhile the profits posted like British gas just provide that ultimate kick in the teeth.

[David speak @CricketersDave]

@Sacha_Lord @ofgem Gas and electric both well over 100% more for my business than they were 2 years ago.

A period in 2022 our energy supplier went bust. We were moved to a supplier of last resort who billed 20% of our previous annual gas cost... for an 8 day period. £1.4 k for 8 days.

[Sacha Lord @Sacha_Lord]

Every single Hospitality venue across the UK is being crucified or closed by untenable energy bills.

Yesterday British Gas posted record profits of £751 million.

10 times the previous year of £72 million.

Anyone else angry? Morning @ofgem.

[David speak @CricketersDave]

@yozza11 @BrewDogJames Literally 'Brewksi Bonus' was the first one that came to mind. Read through the comments hoping for nothing similar 🤣

[David speak @CricketersDave]

@GaryUsher_ For a while the viability of a business has come down to a lottery of when energy accounts were up for renewal,often nothing to do with how well its operated. I was told the government were being challenged on energy for hospitality. Meanwhile British gas Post £900million+ profit

[David speak @CricketersDave]

@GaryUsher_ It's just so unfair. For me the killer of the energy situation was always the most inequitable and hardest to take. Messaged Kate in January 2022 highlighting we'd been moved to a supplier who billed 1.5k for an 8 day period when our previous supplier was under £7k a year.

[David speak @CricketersDave]

@GaryUsher_ Most people are respectful and ask. I think typically its a practice that a lot of places allow. I kind of look at it that birthday parties are good business regardless of losing a dessert or two. For our place it is. I understand the other side of the argument though.

[David speak @CricketersDave]

@BigWoodenSpoon @mattshaw78 @CalElcombe @PMPugh @GaryUsher_ @Elite_Bistros @hispibistro Ultimately though, i would say the vast majority of independant hospitality business are not being greedy right now, but are just trying ridiculously hard to maintain a sustainable business. Its a challenge!

[David speak @CricketersDave]

@BigWoodenSpoon @mattshaw78 @CalElcombe @PMPugh @GaryUsher_ @Elite_Bistros @hispibistro Businesses that create a premium environment and offer high levels of service are generally going to charge more, because the costs of providing that are higher. Hence its a bit daft when people comment along the lines of... 'I can get that for x amount in wetherspoons'

[David speak @CricketersDave]

@AlexReilley1 I always keep things positive from my business PR wise and with the team... and we are relatively secure for the time being.

But it's a massively challenging environment and I've seen some businesses go that I thought were great & had people leading them who were so committed

[David speak @CricketersDave]

@AlexReilley1 The viability of a business shouldn't come down to when their energy contract came up for renewal for example.

There are some key issues & some pretty appalling decisions made. Hospitality needs a proper voice at the table and arguably right now, properly targeted support.