We couldn't afford to close for the Queen's funeral
MEN on Sunday|September 25, 2022
The cost of living crisis through the eyes of those struggling on one Greater Manchester High Street
DAMON WIKINSON
We couldn't afford to close for the Queen's funeral

GORDON Conway says he's always been a workaholic. It's a good job too, because at the minute he's doing 15 hour days, six days a week.

Gordon, 48, owns The Malaga Drift Coffee Company, a small cafe bar on Church Street in Eccles. But at the minute things are so tight he can't afford to employ anybody else.

"I can't afford staff," says Gordon, 48. "I have to be cheaper than Starbucks and Costa, but they can buy in bulk, they can own their premises - the only thing I can do is cut staff, so I have to do it myself."

Gordon, who spent most of his working life in logistics before opening up the cafe about six years ago, says luckily his energy bills are locked in until next summer. But the cost of everything else is soaring and he can't risk putting his prices up because he 'wouldn't have any customers left!

"Business is slow," he said. "It's down 20 per cent since Covid. You can tell people are cutting back. They're not going out as much.

"I try to spend as little as I can, which is fairly easy because I'm at work all the time. But I'm living so cheaply at the minute it's ridiculous."

On Wednesday Liz Truss unveiled a six-month plan, starting in October, to pay about half of energy bills for businesses. It will undoubtedly help, but as Gordon says if your gas and electric bills have trebled in the last few months, you'll still be considerably worse off than you were this time last year.

This story is from the September 25, 2022 edition of MEN on Sunday.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 25, 2022 edition of MEN on Sunday.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MEN ON SUNDAYView All
Sharks suffer trying times after slipping to heavy Bath defeat
MEN on Sunday

Sharks suffer trying times after slipping to heavy Bath defeat

SALE Sharks conceded six tries as Bath powered their way to 40-13 Gallagher Premiership win.

time-read
1 min  |
October 27, 2024
Red flags are flying over Josh signing
MEN on Sunday

Red flags are flying over Josh signing

RASMUS Hojlund had a gentle time away with Denmark, playing 71 minutes across their Nations League games.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Madrid stars are the ones that got away
MEN on Sunday

Madrid stars are the ones that got away

UNITED'S midfield overhaul is into its latest inception with the summer arrival of Manuel Ugarte and the breakthrough of Kobbie Mainoo.

time-read
1 min  |
October 27, 2024
Historic pub's new look after refurbishment
MEN on Sunday

Historic pub's new look after refurbishment

A HISTORIC pub with ties to a famous Manchester brewer has undergone a major renovation.

time-read
1 min  |
October 27, 2024
'All we see is shut down shops...it feels dead'
MEN on Sunday

'All we see is shut down shops...it feels dead'

Town's traders and shoppers have their say ahead of regeneration plan

time-read
4 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Bumpyroad ahead in electric car drive
MEN on Sunday

Bumpyroad ahead in electric car drive

TRAINS and buses may get more column inches, but the North of England is a region that remains dependent on cars to get around.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Ketamine explosion has echoes of heroin epidemic
MEN on Sunday

Ketamine explosion has echoes of heroin epidemic

Experts call for greater awareness of risks after huge surge in use of drug

time-read
5 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Influencer Kitty up for top award
MEN on Sunday

Influencer Kitty up for top award

Teenager who woke up blind sheds light on her life with TikTok videos

time-read
2 mins  |
October 27, 2024
£18,000 raised in memory of paddleboarder
MEN on Sunday

£18,000 raised in memory of paddleboarder

A FUNDRAISER in memory of a personal trainer who tragically died after getting into trouble while paddleboarding at Dovestone Reservoir has raised nearly £20,000.

time-read
1 min  |
October 27, 2024
Chopshop gang even posed as airport valets
MEN on Sunday

Chopshop gang even posed as airport valets

Chief reporter Neal Keeling on the brazen crimes of car thieves whose arrogance led to their downfall

time-read
7 mins  |
October 27, 2024