Latest news with #independentbusiness
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Spinning Room Hi-Fi among new Sunny Bank Mills businesses
A commercial and cultural centre has welcomed a range of independent retailers. Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley, near Leeds, has welcomed The Spinning Room Hi-Fi, Cargo Wines, Hoop Knit, Metz Cheesemonger, Candy Spa For Kids, the Welly Club Forest School, Right Nice Stuff, Duo Pilates, Swimsport, and Silly Loaf. Record Plant, meanwhile, has undergone an expansion. John Gaunt, joint managing director of Edwin Woodhouse and Co Ltd, the family company which owns Sunny Bank Mills, said: "It's so exciting to welcome these new retail businesses to Sunny Bank Mills. "It was always our vision to create a place that people both love to visit and to work in. "The new retail businesses fit that vision perfectly. "Fifty per cent of the businesses at the Mills are now public facing. "Ten years ago, it was only 15 per cent, so it's very satisfying to see that vision become reality." William Gaunt added: "These are very exciting new lettings for us - and we are absolutely delighted at the range of businesses which are now joining us at Sunny Bank Mills. "They broaden our appeal and provide wonderful new retail facilities for everyone who works here and for those who visit us from further afield." More information is available at
Daily Mail
17-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Horror on High Street as half of independent stores mull closure: Retail chiefs sound alarm over yet more painful tax rises
Retail chiefs sounded the alarm over rising taxes as it emerged more than half of independent shopkeepers have considered closing this year. As official figures showed unemployment has soared to a four-year high, the boss of Sports Direct and House of Fraser owner Frasers warned of 'dark clouds' on the horizon due to the looming Budget. And Ocado founder and chief executive Tim Steiner called for 'lower taxes and less regulation' to boost growth. The comments came as an industry survey found over 50 per cent of independent retailers have thought about shutting up shop this year. And 84 per cent said they lack confidence in the Government to help. Frasers finance chief Chris Wootton said there were 'dark clouds' over the next Budget. The company, which also owns Flannels, Evans Cycles and Gieves & Hawkes, said last year's Budget hit consumer confidence after it imposed higher National Insurance contributions and a hike in the minimum wage. And Labour has promised to 'level the playing field between the High Street and online giants' by replacing the business rates system. Ocado boss Steiner said: 'I think that all businesses and, in fact, all people in the UK should want to see lower taxes and less regulation, because that's what will create growth.' A survey by website Save The High Street found that more than half of independent shopkeepers have thought about shutting their business this year. Jeff Banks, designer and founder of fashion chain Warehouse, said businesses of all sizes are laying off staff. He added: 'Taxation is being used as a blunt instrument, driving small businesses out of existence rather than encouraging entrepreneurship and growth.' There has already been a wave of devastating shop closures and job cuts. Household names including Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrisons have axed staff, citing the pressure of higher costs. At least one in ten retail workers could leave the sector before 2028, amounting to 300,000 staff, claims the Retail Jobs Alliance, which represents big names such as Tesco and M&S. But it is feared the reality could be even worse, as this estimate does not even include the impact of last year's Budget, let alone any further hikes this autumn. By Hugo Duncan The hospitality industry has lost a 'devastating' 84,000 jobs since Rachel Reeves imposed higher taxes at last year's Budget. Restaurants, pubs, cafes and hotels have been hammered by increases in national insurance and the minimum wage. And fears of further job cuts are mounting as firms struggle to stay afloat. Kate Nicholls of the UK Hospitality trade group, said: 'These devastating job losses are a direct consequence of policy decisions at last year's Budget.'
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Devastated Edinburgh owners shut restaurant due to 'ridiculous' experience
The owners of a popular Edinburgh restaurant have decided to close its doors due to a "great financial strain". Dea Delossi, co-founder of Sora Lella and Sora Diana, confirmed the "bittersweet news" and said prices became too high running two businesses in the capital. Sora Lella, located on Brougham Street, closed up and the premises will be passed on. The 38-year-old business owner added it was a "hard decision" and "if they could keep it open, they would". READ MORE: Edinburgh street closed 'suddenly' will stay shut to traffic until summer 2028 READ MORE: Edinburgh to be hit with thunderstorms as rain sets in over capital However, its sister restaurant Sora Diana will remain open and will incorporate some of Sora Lella's beloved pasta and pizza dishes on the menu. Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Dea said: "When we put our forces together to support both businesses, we realised the expenses were too high - it's ridiculous how much the expenses are rising. "We realised we had to give up something so we decided it was time to close it. We are giving away the premises but we will maintain the name. The other restaurant will remain open and we will focus everything on it. "A lot of people love the restaurant and we didn't want to let them down so we are going to take the best sellers and add them to the menu - including some of the pasta dishes. We are also going to add pizzas too and invest in pizza ovens." Dea believes there is not enough support out there for independent businesses and taking something on is a "big risk". The restaurant officially closed its doors on June 30. She added: "It is really sad and it was a very hard decision for us. We tried to do whatever we could to keep both restaurants open and if we could, we would. "It's a really tough time. If I could go back in time, I would have taken on a smaller space - it was a big investment for us. "Being a business owner is really challenging and it's a big risk people take. There is not a lot of money around, people are losing their jobs or they're not paid fairly - it's not an easy period at all." A message from the team on social media reads: "We have some bittersweet news to share. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community hereand get the latest news sent straight to your messages "Sora Lella has closed its doors permanently but we're really excited for our new chapter at Sora Diana. "Fear not, we'll be taking the pizza oven to Sora Diana and will be combining the menus to serve customers' Sora Lella favourites alongside our most popular Sora Diana dishes. Stay tuned for a refreshed menu coming soon. "All Sora Lella bookings have been contacted. You can find Sora Diana at 19-21 Causewayside, Edinburgh, EH9 1QF."
Wall Street Journal
30-06-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Want Soviet Bread Lines? Vote for Zohran Mamdani
New York As owner of Gristedes and D'Agostino's—this city's oldest and largest independent supermarket chains—I've spent my life keeping shelves stocked, workers employed and families fed. That's what capitalism does. It works. It builds. It feeds. And it empowers.
Telegraph
22-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Horse and cart helps trader avoid bus gate fine
A trader has resorted to using a horse and cart to avoid a controversial bus gate restriction. John Ball, the owner of Cut Price Carpets in Cambridge, is using his two-year-old mare Sybil to deliver his carpets to customers over Mill Road Bridge. It was placed under a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) in March which restricted most traffic from using the bridge. The exceptions include buses, pedestrians, cyclists, emergency services, taxis and Blue Badge holders' registered vehicles. Cambridgeshire county council insisted the move would improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists, creating 'a more enjoyable, safer place to visit'. But Mr Ball claimed the measure had created a 'rat run for taxis' that was destroying independent businesses. 'I got the horse and cart to go over and do deliveries and estimates over the other side of the bridge because they can't fine me for taking it over the bridge,' he said. 'I've been here for 29 years for a reason because we're good at what we do and we're reasonable – we look after people. 'We've been in the same shop, serving the local community. I'd just love for them to open the bridge back up because it's destroying us little independent businesses.' He added: 'You stand outside the front of my shop – it is just a rat run for taxis. 'The taxis are using it as a cut-through and they're flying up and down there. 'Mill Road is a main arterial road. It's the main high street of Cambridge. But it's just a dying road.' 'Mill Road is open for business' Since introducing the bus gate, the council has issued an average of 100 fines a day to drivers illegally using the bridge, which has been fitted with ANPR cameras. The Penalty Charge Notice for the bridge is £70, which is discounted to £35 if paid within 21 days. A total of 4,600 fines were issued in its first seven weeks, according to a Freedom of Information (FoI) request by the BBC. Alex Beckett, the chairman of the highways and transport committee at Cambridgeshire county council, said: 'I'd like to be clear – Mill Road is open for business. Mill Road bridge is open to buses, those walking, wheeling, and cycling, emergency services, taxis, and vehicles that are exempt, such as those being driven by blue badge holders. 'Mill Road is the centre of a community. We want it to be a more enjoyable, safer place to visit and to encourage more people to come into the area. Reducing motorised through traffic and installing the bus gate will help achieve this. What's important is that we now move forward with developing plans for public realm improvements supporting local businesses and allowing Mill Road to thrive.'
