We got an electric bill a few weeks ago for our unit in Chester. Kind of ignored it because we just assumed it was a misprint, like too many zeros or something… It’s not. Our electric bill for the quarter at our events unit is 26 thousand pounds.

‘It was more than a pub’ – the story of five boozers forced to call last orders theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2…

Sums up the VAT issue perfectly. With cost of goods and utilities as they are you actually end up making less money if you increase turnover, after paying the VAT bill.

Couple of months ago a temporary VAT cut was a faint but hopeful possibility. Now, after the complete failure and mismanagement of the economy by this govt, best case scenario is it doesn't rise beyond 20% in the next 12 months.

Because Apple made no changes going from near bankruptcy to the most profitable company in history.

IT'S HERE 🙌 Sophie etc's independent #MiltonKeynes Christmas gift guide is back. Featuring over 80 small businesses to help inspire you to #ShopSmall this Christmas 🎁 Read the guide: sophieetc.com/category/milto…

They've calmed the markets, by closing all the shops.

And potentially share in the spoils of being at ground zero at Twitter 2.0

One week. Four more gigs. 13 to go. Plus news of our traditional Xmas bash - mailchi.mp/58902a2e8af8/a…

100% this. 2023 is going to be the toughest year of the last 4 for hospitality, no doubt.

This 👇 This 👇 This 👇 No one in power is seriously taking steps to avoid an avalanche of SMEs going to the wall in April.

So that’s now British Gas, SSE and EDF who have all had to admit to failing to pass on the Energy support to 10,000’s small businesses. Ofgem “we know there’s more to be done” This is scandalous and needs urgent Govt intervention. thetimes.co.uk/article/b60b58…

Predicted during 2022, when will local politicians appreciate the turmoil in their own communities? Ben Everitt @iainastewart bbc.co.uk/news/business-…

VAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just wait for second quarter of 2023...

And businesses having to put up their prices in Feb / March to prepare for huge hike in Living Wage. Who would have thought inflation would jump again, specifically in the hospitality sector?!

Surely the message here, at a time where hospitality venues are closing at a record pace due to out of control costs, is that even a heavy hitter like BrewDog needs to make changes to continue.

The UK could lose up to 9000 pubs. From April, pubs with a rateable value of £100,000, will see business rates jump by £19,000 per year. They will need to sell an additional: 60,000 pints a year. Thats 1200 pints a week. Thats 170 extra pints a day. Thats before rising energy