is there anything. we can t say the government can solve every problem, but is there anything they can do from your point of view as a businessman that would just make this all a little bit more manageable? ok, well, most publicans and restaurant owners will tell you that in april we have a cliff edge coming, because since the pandemic started, the chancellor kindly reduced the vat on food sales to 12.5%, which is what it is at the moment but in april it goes back up to 20%. also the living wage comes in in april, which goes up, national insurance contributions are going up, and the business rates. we were paying a third, which is very kind, and next year they are giving us a 50% discount, which means it s going up. so all of those things are coming right at the start of april. it is incredible. and with gas and electricity prices going up. the company i was with went bust and they put me onto another one, and my gas price hasn t doubled
bit grumpy about it, but you are not losing customers at the moment. are you worried about the combination of you worried about the combination of you having to put up your prizes and the fact people s household bills in other ways are going up might mean they maybe eat out less, maybe not coming so often to the pub in an evening orfor lunchtime in the week? evening or for lunchtime in the week? . , ., , week? that is exactly what is happening- week? that is exactly what is happening- we week? that is exactly what is happening. we have - week? that is exactly what is happening. we have quite i week? that is exactly what is happening. we have quite a i week? that is exactly what is i happening. we have quite a lot of couples who go and do shopping and then pop in for lunch. they used to coming times a week, now we only see them twice a week. since the pandemic, i m amazed how many people i see at the local supermarket and they say, we are going to come and see you when it is all ov