Cost of living....struggles....rubbish!

[IwishIcouldconfess]

Been into Manchester today.

I'll be honest, shops full, restaurants full, pub's standing room only.

I thought as a country we were in a cost of living crisis, not in Manchester, the amount of cocktails, bottles of wine i saw being knocked back today made me wonder, ate things really as bad as as the narrative we're being sold?

If you’d read all OP’s posts you’d know they’re a regular visitor to Manchester and says she always sees bars, restaurants and shops full of people. And as someone who lives there I can confirm what she sees is the norm.

Are you able to confirm that it's also a place that people like to visit from elsewhere? Which may make up a lot of the bustle people see?

Because I have friends in Manchester and I know from when I train it to them that I'm not the only person visiting the city.

The media and the Labour party are doom sellers though. It suits the narrative that everything is shit, and everyone is struggling. More people than ever own their own homes, more people than ever go on holiday. Most people are, in actual fact, absolutely fine.

Sure - it’s always been a destination kind of city, especially for people living close by. But generally, they’re the weekend crowd. The shops etc are busy during the week as well.

I think most people are likely in a similar boat as us. Financially, we're fine because we have always budgeted, but noticing how much everything costs now, plus how quickly it's going up.

We're not struggling but we are having to think a bit more about what we spend and when. We have to be a little more savvy around food shopping, for example, to remain fine.

People on lower incomes are struggling. Wages are not rising at the same speed as things like food inflation. House prices are rising, but not at the same rate as inflation (above wage rises though).

So people likely are still eating out or going out for drinks. But they're not doing it as often. They're budgeting for a weekend away or a nice meal out or lunch with friends or birthday celebrations etc. making places seem busy. Because why shouldn't they? We work hard, we're allowed to enjoy the money we earn as well as just survive.

Re eating out and places being full. What are they choosing off the menu. Is it a full main or a light bite at half the price?

It was a food Hall
Lots of wine, beer, cocktails being drunk

But you've just said you have lots of kids. We prob earn the same as you and have no kids, therefore we can go out whenever we want, travel abroad whenever we want, etc etc. It's about priorities.

Yes but the place was rammed. Not with high earners. Regardless of how many children they have.

Far from living under a rock

I went out Friday and Saturday, both times the places were full.

I went to the theatre last week full

Ive been to comedians in packed arenas

Everywhere I go places are buzzing.

Try being 25 and attempt to buy a property then. There’s a huge rise in the number of FTBs being bankrolled for the deposit by parents. Or look at the ever-increasing proportion of your salary that needs to be spent on mortgage or rent.

I’m sick of these ‘I’m alright, Jack’ types like you who think that just because you’re ok that everyone else is too. Go and work in a school in a poor area. You’ll see the poverty up close.

And you asked all of them how many children they have and how much they earn?

Bills have gone up for everyone, taxes have gone up for everyone, if you're already living paycheck to paycheck it's going to hurt and prevent you from doing things you may want to do, however, plenty of people aren't going to really feel a few hundred increase in bills, esp if their responsibilities are minimal (no kids, etc) so they will continue to go out and do what they want to do.

Plenty of people are perfectly fine financially, plenty of people are struggling financially. Both things can be true.

It doesn’t sound like the cost of living crisis is affecting you, so why are you surprised that there’s other people out there in the same position as you?

YABU, I didn't know many people who contracted Covid. That does not mean it was not happening.

Like a few PP said, Manchester attracts people from all around. It is an attractive place to go to that tourists visit... I have gone there myself in the past. Where I live, it looks like something from The Walking Dead, even on a Saturday, because it is a poor area with high rates of unemployment. Half the shop units are closed. There is nothing to go into the centre for unless you need a Turkish barber, your phone unlocking, or you want vapes. Our centre's "fine dining" experience is a Boswells.

You are seeing the people out who can afford to be (and you assume that they can actually afford to be out... some might be in debt). The people who can not afford to spending in bars are at home.

For people who are really struggling due to the constant rising food and fuel costs, the crisis is very real and you are BVU to just say it can't be happening because you are not seeing it.

I'm inclined to agree with you. I've not noticed any decline in the number of people in pubs clubs restaurants or shops. Still loads of people with seemingly endless amounts of money to spend. I remember going to a pub in West London a few months ago. The drinks were SO expensive,11 quid for a large glass of wine and 12 quid for a pint of lager. This obviously wasn't an issue for many of the pubs customers,who were back and forth to the bar several times buying rounds that must have cost the best part of 60 quid. And in the lead up to Christmas just gone, loads of shops in my local high street were doing a roaring trade with thousands of people through the doors. There's also a couple of expensive restaurants in this high street and it always seems to be really busy. I can honestly say I don't know anyone who is struggling.

So you are confused that the people you see out..... can afford to be out...when you are also out...affording to be out?? Make that make sense.

Some people are struggling. Some people arent.

Hope that helps

I was in Manchester a few months ago with my brother who lives in the US- as well as seeing people enjoying themselves he commented on how many shops and businesses are empty and how run down things look- so it depends on your perspective I guess.

You saw people out and drinking, therefore no cost of living crisis? What a very small bubble you exist in. Does your mind work like this for everything in life? Beggars belief the way people not only think, but think such baseless nonsense is worthy of a post on the Internet. Bet you're on the "poor people shouldn't have a smart phone" camp.

It was payday weekend

I’ve noticed how many businesses are closing or in administration.

And out of city centres how many shops have closed.

So perhaps it’s young people with jobs still living at home who are out and about

Glasgow was the same this weekend, but it was pay day weekend and I expect lots of people have a big night out soon after they've been paid and then live quietly for the rest of the month. That's certainly the case for me. I also noticed that there were very few younger people out and about in town, it seemed to be a much older crowd in the various places we went to and on the streets - I guess a lot of younger people have been priced out of nightlife.

Been shopping in central Manchester today and it was packed, but you don't see the people who stayed home to save money do you.

I live Manchester suburbs went into.our local Italian last Saturday for lunch and it was silent, we were the only people in there for a bit.

Agree that this weekend will be over represented as pay day weekend.

Also a good percentage of the population is already established in a good career and or low/ paid off mortgage and or retired with decent pension.

Its the young uns and those with young families who are probably feeling the brunt off it.

A LOT of discounting by retailers, I'm into beauty stuff and quite a few 20% off weekends with eg boots, space nk etc which must be a vicious circle for them as the more they do these special discount events the more people wait for them, not that im complaining

My guess is Manchester city centre will stay pretty rammed for a lot of February, but probably different crowds out. In 2 weeks time there's Valentine's and then Chinese New Year on the same weekend, then it's half term. Various different demographics will be having a turn at different times, probably spending on different things.

I was out in Cardiff this weekend and commented the same thing, heaving! Then we remembered it’s payday weekend after the longest, most miserable month of year. If ever folk were going to budget for some fun it would be this weekend.