Would It Really Make Any Difference

[teacake44]

If pubs clubs restaurants opened all over the UK. There's been that many losing their jobs, and many many been getting by all year on 80% of their normal income, and many many, may be still waiting for government assistance. So the question is, wheres the money coming from to spend in these places, even if there open?

[emmie]

are you saying you think people are all skint?

[pixie374]

As you say, the majority of people will be on 80-100% of usual money. Some wonve affected, if they are retired, unemployed etc. I think their money has gone up by £20 a week? And there will be those who are already financially well off enough, to continue as usual.

[choux]

I suspect that the majority of those who enjoy drinking out will always find the money for it.

[barry1010]

Many people have much spare cash now - it can be expensive business going to work with the cost of commuting, lunches, coffees, office collections, childcare and all the rest of it. They are better off with the 80% and staying at home.
Other people have more work on than ever, my butcher's sales have more than doubled during lockdown.
Those who live on pensions and benefits haven't really been affected, their income has remained the same.
And many others have continued to work as normal throughout.

When this is over it is going to be a boom time with entrepreneurs opening new businesses in place of the failed businesses. You'll see

[emmie]

going on the news before we went into tier 3 many restaurants, cafes in London seemed to be doing a good trade.

[barry1010]

Take aways are doing very well.

[teacake44]

In my view pubs/clubs and restaurants would be better off remaining on 80%of income ( if their getting it)

[emmie]

not all restaurants can do takeaways, they can;t cater for it.

[youngmafbog]

Its not 80% of your income though is it, if you earn above the limit it is a lot less unless your employer tops it up.

And at present there have only been 800k jobs lost apparently. Whilst this seems a lot it wont have an impact on general spending - yet.

The reality is most places are now functioning normally. It is only the hospitality/travel/entertainment sector that is the problem. Been out on the road the last couple of days and traffic has been an absolute nightmare most people are out and about as they would do.

[emmie]

One local hotel lost three quarters of their staff, just laid off, as bookings were almost non existent.

[pixie374]

People being made redundant, will obviously help an effect. Is that right, ymb, that over a certain limit, you get less than 80%? And presumably, those are businesses that should be able to afford that.
For those on 80%, it will be enough to close some businesses, but many restaurants, cafes etc are doing deliveries, takeaways etc.
The redundancies are probably the biggest problem. And also for those self-employed who haven't been entirely honest.... if you have been pretending you earn a lot less than you did... you will lose out, as you haven't paid enough taxes or shown enough profit.

[emmie]

most our our little cafes have been closed.

[pixie374]

I'm not aware of any around here that have closed, emmie. They seem to just be adapting their services during lockdowns.

[teacake44]

13.59 Tax evasion is their problem, you can't have you're cake .....

[pixie374]

Well yes. If you are claiming you earned "next to nothing" for the last 3 years, your grant will be 80% of "next to nothing".

[Zacs-Master]

'Is that right, ymb, that over a certain limit, you get less than 80%?'

Yes, furlough is capped at a max of £2500 / month.

[pixie374]

Thanks zacs... I did know that once!

[emmie]

many of ours have simply closed. My fav local cafe was closed for months, they have reopened with limited space. Costa coffee has taken all their chairs out the top and you can only now have coffee downstairs, which makes no sense.

[teacake44]

There must be millions that have legal jobs, but also do jobs on the side, so to calculate loss of true earnings in some cases is impossible that's why I say there will be very little money to spend in the hospitality industry.

[emmie]

i tend to use the only cafe that has remained open which is starbucks, but not sure what happens now we are in tier 3.