21/03/2022
Restaurants are the backbone of our town centres but we are in danger of losing an entire sector - independent casual dining is on its knees.
Rising food and energy costs will mean that many restaurants have no choice but to pivot and make themselves more attractive to the wealthy as those on modest incomes will cut out their leisure spend first. It has been happening for years, so many proper pubs have turned into gastro dining restaurants, no longer is the bar a hub for banter and conviviality, it is now the place where waiters in stiff shirts pick up the umpteenth round of espresso martinis and deliver them quietly and without banter to high earners.
How do we save the sector?
MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis says that he is virtually out of tools, this is not a money management issue, it is time for government to step in. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-60705352
Government intervention can do a number of things - by supporting the sector it will protect many jobs which will in turn prevent an escalation of mental health issues with people out of work and lacking meaning in their life. Restaurants run well can positively contribute to the communities they serve - there is a win win model where restaurants that are mostly funded by trade but partly funded through government grants could do so much good and ultimately save the tax payer with more people staying in employment and more people feeling valued, well fed and included.
Our idea is a new model for the sector but we need partners to help take this forwards. We are one of those restaurants on its knees - our focus is on affordability and inclusivity but you need to sell a hell of a lot of bowls of dal to make it pay. We know we need to pivot but we are looking at ways to do so that are inclusive to all budgets because food brings people together in a way that nothing else.