Which businesses are going to go under?

[Nobledeedsandhotbaths]

I've been thinking about the upcoming crisis and wondering which 'non-essential' businesses are likely to lose most custom once things begin to bite.

Things like:
Tattoo artists
Nail technicians
Children's party entertainers
Just for a few examples.

There are many others I would class as non-essential that will potentially be ok because their client base is the wealthy, who will be less affected by what is going to happen.

What are other people's predictions for businesses that may struggle?

We own a garage and our electric bill has trebled it is astronomical now, it will not affect trade as people have no choice but to continue to maintain a car, it just means we may have to add a couple pound to everyone’s bill to cover it the new cost, as we are r making any more money to cover it and we wouldn’t want to close as people will lose their jobs etc

I work in a manufacturing company related to home improvements. Already seen orders are tailing off.
However, Covid actually increased turnover for us as people chose to move or spend money on their homes because they couldn’t go abroad, and so had ‘spare’ money. Just hoping those two good years were enough that we can survive these next couple of years.

*are not making any more money to cover the cost

There was a child minder who posted about her concerns the other day. She has children in her home and she has to keep it warm, of course. But this will cost. So she's between a rock and a hard place and this will affect loads of workers.

We did £125 in pizza express this week . Thankfully it only cost £66 in cash as I'd used my tesco vouchers but come October I can't see us going there much and January 🥺.. forget about it . Il probably switch my hair appointments to just a cut and do the colour myself . It just won't be affordable my hairdresser has had to send messages out already about price rises . sainsburys currently have pizza express pizzas for half price atm.

Already closed my children's parties/ family events business. Just wasn't getting the bookings to make it worthwhile anymore.

According to some on this thread, it's my own fault. Thanks, makes me feel good.

To the poster who predicted DIY shops will struggle I actually think that DIY shops will thrive because people will do their own DIY whereas previously many would have hired tradespersons to do it.

ok, I’m going to name some random businesses and brands and then say “see I told you so” and feel all smug about it in 12 months despite me not actually having a bloody clue how it will all pan out.

Greggs
B&M
Boots
The Co-op
Talk TV
Coronation Street
The BBC
Always sanitary towels
Specsavers
Wilko’s
Howden’s Kitchens
Clark’s Shoes
Avacados

You just wait and see if I’m right.

I dunno. We were told all this in 2008 and yet my high street stayed the same with coffee bars and nail salons doing a roaring trade.
I won’t stop getting my nails done or going for a coffee and I doubt any of my friends will either. If there is enough of us about in enough areas then plenty of businesses will survive.
nail bars in London are ten a penny and are often money laundering places so aren’t dependent on women getting their nails done anyway!
let’s see if those American candy sweet shops all over central london survive!!

Avocados I think I mean actually.

@SuziLikeSuziQ I’m really sorry about your business Suzi. Hope you’re ok.

It’s been said on the thread already but it bears repeating - many small businesses are born from their owner’s passions, and we put our heart and soul into them. So a bit of empathy wouldn’t go amiss.

It's not just non essential businesses that will close. We're in the poultry industry and the coats are becoming so astronomical it's a huge decision whether to restock.

A lot of charities will go under.

Reserves went in Covid so there's no resilience left.

Can’t believe people are having a go at the OP for starting the thread. You fucking snowflakes - this is really happening.

The reality is that if you are light on staff, inputs and can do your work out of the home or share a studio with a friend then you will probably struggle but ultimately be able to operate. That includes tattooists and dog groomers and childrens entertainers. Yes, side hustle may be needed.

The real problem is fixed cost employers. If you own a factory that employs 30people across X floor space and runs machinery all day then you cannot stop running the machines, nor can you stop heating the building the staff work in. It will be very challenging.

I love the idea of cafes getting support to stay warm so people can go and sit in them.

In times of trouble people can pull together - I am sure we will.

She didn’t say she had a baker, she said she knew two bakers. I know a “baker”, ie; there is a bakery in my village which has shut. I don’t have a baker. I do however “have” a dog groomer as I have a nightmare long hair dog who won’t sit still for me. I did buy clippers and try grooming her myself but decided £25 every 8 weeks to have her shaved to a skinhead is worth it. I prioritise her grooming over mine and cut my own hair! 😁

I'm a cleaner and absolutely snowed under with work. I think people are taking on extra hours at work so have less time for cleaning. We'll see if this continues after October.

I read the majority of pubs will go under. And a pint will soon be £10 in those still trading.

Also the majority of chip shops have said they expect to go under which surprised me because as take aways go it’s a cheaper one. I thought people might feel like they can’t afford a Chinese but get fish and chips instead. But people apparently won’t pay £8:50 for fish and chips (average cost now). And I guess having the fryer on all the time is expensive.

@Notabigfan sainsbury’s will benefit. People with an Argos card (fairly easily obtainable credit account popular amongst working classes) can use it there to pay for groceries / food/ school uniform) and pay it off monthly .They’ll be forced to as a last resort and debt will soar.

I think people are in danger of talking themselves into poverty when in reality most will just reduce their electric costs . A huge electric bill is not compulsory just don't use more than can be afforded .
There may be more choices to be made eg do I want my nails done or shall I whack the heating on tonight .

There are also great swathes of people who don't have to worry about COL increases

Coffe places. Cafe Nero increased one drink’s price by 25% overnight 😒 other drinks by 15p so no idea why frappe mocha was by £1 but it put me off going there again.

I have a yoga studio, we are extremely worried about winter. But also hoping that people "treat" themselves to self care perhaps instead of going for a drink. Maybe people do 1 class instead of 3 a week. That's our hope. But we are very worried.

Childcare providers
Restaurants
Hair dressers

I have given my window cleaner two months notice. I feel awful but needs must.
I have cancelled my kid's school milk.
He won't be starting a new hobby either as it will cost £20/month and I cannot justify it.
Costa £3.10 for a hot chocolate will also go. Dominos I might still get them 2 personals on collection, as a once in a while treat (£2.99 each at lunchtime) but cannot justify their deals and 1.99 delivery.
Greggs will survive. Cannot remember who it was, but an actor said a steak bake fixes all problems.

Not your average business, but I've been running an ebook website for 10 years. I take old, out of copyright books, format them nicely, and offer them for free in a variety of formats (pdfs, epubs, Kindle, and some are also available as online text). I ask for donations, but I also sell curated collections. It never earned a massive amount, but I love doing it, and it's kept my bills paid for the last 10 years.

Tuesday I've got a trial day for a full time job because sales have dropped so much (so have donations), I can't survive on what I'm making. I'm not giving up the site, I'll just have to cut back on how many books I add (usually 1 a day).

It's sad because it's been a joy and like I said, never a massive amount of money, but enough for me. No longer though :(